Cardiff City transfer news as defender deal close, West Ham kid signs for Sunderland and Arsenal starlet joins Birmingham City

Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Friday, July 15.

Cardiff City are closing in on the capture of West Brom defender Cedric Kipre on a season-long loan deal.

WalesOnline learned on Thursday that the Bluebirds were interested in taking the 25-year-old centre-back on loan before Steve Bruce revealed the player was close to sealing a move away from The Hawthorns.

Cardiff have been looking to bolster their centre-back options all summer following the departures of Aden Flint and Ciaron Brown, while Sean Morrison is still on the treatment table.

And they are edging closer to the signing of Kipre, a ball-playing centre-half who will add yet more mobility to a squad which has been revamped during this summer window.

Former Cardiff target Aji Alese has completed a permanent move to Championship side Sunderland.

The Bluebirds were keen admirers of the centre-back, 21, having scouted him on a number of occasions before sounding out the Irons over a potential loan deal for the player.

However, Cardiff were told that West Ham wanted a permanent move away for the centre-back, something which has come to fruition as he joins the Black Cats on a permanent deal.

Alese said: “It’s amazing to be here and I’m happy the deal is done. I live five minutes away from West Ham’s training ground and I’ve been there since the age of eight, so it could have been easier to stay but life isn’t easy and I’m ready for the challenge.

"I spoke to Alex Neil, Kristjaan Speakman and Stuart Harvey and I got a great feeling about Sunderland AFC. This is the place I want to be, so now it’s time to crack down and get ready for the new season.”

Another Bluebirds defensive target, Auston Trusty, has joined Birmingham City after Cardiff feel they fell victim