Ireland U21 international Mark McGuinness has left Arsenal and joined Cardiff City on a three-year deal.
The centre-back is Cardiff manager Mick McCarthy's second signing of the summer. Another Ireland player, James Collins, joined Cardiff on a free transfer last month.
"As soon as a club like Cardiff City were interested I was excited and I couldn't miss this opportunity," said the 20-year-old McGuinness.
"It's nice to get everything sorted early on and hopefully I can meet the boys and get going.
"My job is to stop the ball going into the back of the net. I love heading and I love defending.
"It's a great opportunity for me to learn and improve in the next few years at the club."
Ireland U21 international Mark McGuinness leaves Arsenal
Mark McGuinness has joined Cardiff City on a permanent deal from Arsenal. Best of lucky to him. I guarantee you he will be back in the Premier League in a couple years.
pic.twitter.com/dTrjXehSmZ— EgalO (@ThekidEG) June 21, 2021
McGuinness, born in Slough, joined the Arsenal academy as a 10-year-old, and progressed through the ranks to sign his first professional contract in 2019.
He spent last season on loan at Ipswich Town where he made 24 appearances in League One, and scored one goal.
McGuinness was one of the Ireland U21 team's best players in the recent friendly games against Switzerland, Australia and Denmark.
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
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