Embargo over (for now), new players registered, more to come - let the season begin!

After a summer of bad news and the club in the doldrums, while then problems remain, the club have finally managed to release some shackles in the nick of time.


Having resolved some of its immediate financial debts (to the tax man, former players and transxfer fees to other clubs), the Football League lifted the club's transfer and player registration embargo on Friday afternoon.

This enabled the registration of goalkeeper Tom Heaton and on loan midfielders Danny Drinkwater (from Manchester United) and Jason Koumas (from Wigan). It also enables the club to try and arrange new contracts for existing personnel, defender Kevin McNaughton being one who agreed a new deal but it could not be registered under embargo.

However it may well be a temporary reprieve as Cardiff's problems are significant and may well take a long time to overcome. It is believed the club face major financial demands in September- after the transfer window closes - which may see the embargo return.

Relieved manager Dave Jones said, "It’s a good thing for the club the embargo’s off. We just have to move now as quick as we can to bring the players in we’ve been chasing. Everything seems to be sorted, but we could be hit again over the tax issue. We can’t rule us being hit again with an embargo. If I can four new faces before the transfer window closes, and keep the ones I have, then we will be in good shape.”

Various names have been banded about with some said to be training with the club already but nothing has materialised so far.

Meantime the N-Power Championship season opened last night with promoted Norwich being surprisingly outplayed and beaten at home (2-3) by relegation-fancied Watford. 10 more games are being played today before Cardiff open their season in front of Sky tv cameras at home to Sheffield United tomorrow lunchtime.

Koumas so happy to be back with City and Dave Jones ... but not ready to play

JASON KOUMAS has given his first official interview after returning to The Mighty Mighty Bluebirds telling Cardiff City player (the video section of the official club website) that it was the only place he wanted to be.

Hoping to rekindle his hugely successful loan 5 seasons ago, the 30 year old said, "It`s great to be back, it's probably been a long time waiting to be honest and I can`t wait to get started. I`ve had a bit of a tough time at Wigan, especially the last few months. I`ve been injured, been out a lot. I`ve just gone a bit stale there. It was agreed that I wanted a change. I spoke to Dave Jones quite a bit and told Wigan there was only one place I will go to and that was Cardiff."

So why Dave Jones?

"He just lets me play, he gives me a freedom. I enjoy playing for him, he`s got great coaching staff. He is the reason I`ve come back here - it`s definitely Dave Jones and I can`t wait to get started again."

However Koumas revealed that he is upto 10 days away for playing so will not feature in Sunday's league opener at home to Sheffield United, Tuesday's Carling Cup tie with Burton Albion and possibly next weekend's first awayday at Derby County.

Nevertheless, welcome back Jase!

It's a Major Kou at City

Would you believe it? After weeks of doom, gloom, misery and bad news, Cardiff City are starting to redeem themselves just as the season is to kick-off with tonbight's announcement that JASON KOUMAS has signed a 1 year loan deal and can play once the embargo restrictions are lifted.

Koumas earned legend status in a 1 year 2005/06 loan spell with City scoring some stupendous goals and putting on some of the best performances I have ever seen from anyone in a City shirt.


In his last spell at City, Koumas played 42 league matches and scored 12 - all of them stunners! He created many more.

At Wigan since 2007 after they paid £5.3M for his services, he played 75 Premier League matches but fell out of favour with boss (and ex-Swansea manager Roberto Martinez) so did not play any league match in 2010.

Now, still 30 years of aghe, Koumas is back to hopefully do it all over again. Is it a mistake to return to a place of former glory. We'll soon find out but it has ignited City fans - this was the fillip they needed.

The last time Koumas was seen in a City shirt, what great memories