Cardiff city will be preparing for the new championship season with former Manchester United striker Federico Macheda leading the attack. The Italian was out of contract in the summer and United showed no interest in extending the contract. He made a stunning debut for the club in 2009 by scoring in the match against Aston Villa to secure the club three points on their way to title success. Since then, he has struggled with a succession of injury problems and lack of form, which has seen him play for the likes of QPR and Sampdoria on loan deals.

Apart from the loan deal at Birmingham last season, he has not been productive during this period and United decided not to extend his contract. However, former United forward Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will relish the opportunity take yet another United student. Cardiff have announced that they have signed the striker on a three-year contract. This is a major news for the club, which were relegated from the Premier League after just one season. Despite this, they will be looking to go straight back up and the presence of a striker like Macheda will be important. Last season, he scored 13 goals in just 22 matches in his loan spells at Birmingham and Doncaster.

“It’s a massive opportunity for me and it is with thanks to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that I am here. Last season I had a good spell on loan at Birmingham City, but this is a new chapter of my career now and I can’t wait to get started and show everyone who I am. Knowing Ole, he wants to get back into the Premier League as soon as possible and the recent signings show that. I’m here for the same reason. I feel that this is a great team and if we can have a good season and work hard then we can go straight back up,” said the striker.