Ugarte: I'd Love to Play for Cardiff

Last updated : 28 May 2005 By Gary Fish

Wrexham's Basque star Juan Ugarte has finally broken his silence on speculation linking the 24-year old with a move to south Wales by declaring, "I'd love to play for Cardiff City."

The former Real Sociedad man expressed his desire to play in the Coca Cola Championship following news that several clubs were interested in signing him.

Ugarte was high former Bluebirds manager Lennie Lawrence's summer shopping list as he seached for a new striker.

And it is understood that new Cardiff boss Dave Jones is also keen on bringing Ugarte to Ninian Park, with rumours in south Wales that he could even be snapped up by the end of the weekend.

Ugarte - who has been in Turkey this week watching friend Xabi Alonso win the Champions League - revealed, "I would like to play in the Championship next season, so Cardiff would be a great move for me.

"I would be very interested in going to Cardiff. Why not? They're a good team. I understand they might be interested in signing me so I will have to wait and see what happens."

Ugarte was the catalyst in Wrexham surviving the drop until the penultimate game of the season, scoring 22 goals in 39 appearances, including two hat-tricks, one four-goal haul and even a five-goal haul in Wrexham's 6-4 win over Hartlepool Utd, a feat which saw him just pipped to the League One player of the year award.

Despite being out of contract and interest from Championship sides Ugarte has been offered a new contract at Wrexham, and it was just two weeks ago that Ugarte was on the record saying that he was happy to remain at the north Wales club, if the right deal was offered.

Since then however, there has been further interest from the Championship, with Crewe, Sheff Utd and Leeds all confirming interested in the Basque star.

Ugarte added: "I enjoyed last season at Wrexham and thought I performed very well in League One.

"It would be good if I could now get the chance to test myself in the Championship. I've heard Cardiff have appointed a good new boss.

"I'm not sure what's happening with regards to my future. I'll be speaking to my agent when I get home to see what news he has.

"I'd like things to be sorted out as soon as possible. Hopefully, I will know what's happening within the next week."

With Cardiff having struggled in front of goal last season following Rob Earnshaw's sale to West Brom, Ugarte would be a great acquisition for Dave Jones, as he looks to improve on Lennie Lawrence's 17th place and cut the players' wage bill at Ninian Park.