Harry Wilson joins Cardiff City on season-long loan as Championship outfit beat off competition from Swansea and Derby to sign Liverpool winger
- Cardiff have won the race to sign Liverpool winger Harry Wilson on loan
- The Welshman will return to the capital of his homeland for the full season
- Cardiff will pay over £1million in loan fees and pay all of Wilson’s wages
- Derby County, Swansea and Nottingham Forest were all in the race for the star
Cardiff City have completed the signing of Liverpool winger Harry Wilson on a season-long loan deal.
The Premier League champions had wanted to sell the 23-year-old permanently this summer but no club was willing to meet their initial £20million valuation for the Welshman.
However, Cardiff have swooped for Wilson with a late reported £1m loan offer which will now see Wilson spend the campaign in his home country with all his wages reportedly covered by his new side.
Harry Wilson is heading back to Wales after securing a season-long loan deal with Cardiff
‘I’m looking forward to getting started here,’ Wilson told Cardiff’s official website following his move.
‘We had a few clubs enquire about me but as soon as I heard Cardiff were interested it was a place I wanted to come.
‘The Welsh connection was a massive part for me. When I come here, I feel at home. I think the team and facilities we have, everything is built for a Premier League team.
‘I’m determined to come here and do my best to help the club get there.’
The 23-year-old started pre-season with Liverpool but was told he was not in first team plans
Liverpool rejected the Burnley’s attempts to sign Wilson last month after Sean Dyche’s side would not provide a £15m upfront payment.
But Burnley’s loss has proven to be Cardiff’s gain with the Welsh side beating bitter rivals Swansea to Wilson’s signature, while Nottingham Forest were also in the running for his services.
Cardiff appear to have made the strongest case to Wilson, who has been guaranteed first-team football as a regular starter and is keen to provide the firepower for Cardiff’s tilt for promotion to the Premier League.
When last playing in the Championship, Wilson scored 15 goals in 40 appearances for Derby
Wilson spent last season on loan with Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth and made 31 Premier League appearances and netting on seven occasions in the process.
During his last stint in the Championship with Derby County, Wilson racked up 40 appearances with 15 goals and recorded three assists, while also being an influential factor behind Frank Lampard’s side reaching the play-off final at Wembley.
It is understood that Liverpool are hoping for further development to come from Wilson this season, before looking to orchestrate a transfer away from Anfield later down the line.