Joe Ralls to leave Cardiff City after 15 years as Brian Barry-Murphy makes first big call
The midfielder and club captain will leave the club he joined back in 2010
Joe Ralls of Cardiff City
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency )
Cardiff City legend Joe Ralls will officially leave the club at the end of this month, putting an end to his 15-year career with the Bluebirds.
It is understood club captain Ralls, 31, held talks with new manager Brian Barry-Murphy this week and it was decided that the midfielder would leave upon the completion of his contract at the end of this month. He made 409 appearances for Cardiff, scored 34 goals and helped the club to two Premier League promotions during his stellar stint in the Welsh capital.
It is a mark of the man that, even knowing he would fall one game short of triggering an automatic one-year extension, he still played the final two matches of last season not fully fit in a bid to help the club stay in the Championship.
The decision to let Ralls leave is a major first call for new manager Barry-Murphy in the first week of his new job and perhaps points towards how he wants to shape his squad this summer and beyond.
Ralls' industry, bite and leadership were all admirable qualities, however the Irishman clearly wants to go a different way in terms of the technical make-up of that midfield. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community
On a similar note, it is also understood that Andy Rinomhota, who this year won the Players' Player of the Season, is likely to leave this month, too.
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It is rare for one player to have such longevity in football these days and he will doubtless leave with the best wishes of the Bluebirds faithful and, indeed, owner Vincent Tan.
"Players like Joe Ralls don't come around very often in the modern game. Joe has displayed incredible loyalty and love throughout his 15 years here," Tan said in a statement.
"Whether it has been in the midfield, or showing leadership behind the scenes, and always joining in with our community, he has been a figurehead and a gentleman in everything he does. He has the respect of everyone at Cardiff City Football Club. Thank you, Joe."
Ralls features in the top 10 of all-time appearance-makers for Cardiff City. He would have climbed higher in that list, too, were it not for his injury record over recent seasons.
But with a new manager at the helm and the club readying themselves for the unfamiliar challenge of League One, all parties decided this was the best call in the interest of Cardiff City moving forward. It is understood the player already has offers on the table.
"It has been a great pleasure to work with a consummate professional and wonderful human in Joe," said chairman Mehmet Dalman.
'He has led by example every single day. We wish nothing but the utmost success to Joe for the remainder of his playing career and thank him immensely for his efforts with the club.'
CEO and executive director Ken Choo said: 'Joe has been a wonderful representative for our football club over the past 15 years. His story from the academy to leading the team is a great inspiration to those coming through.
'I'd like to personally thank Joe for everything he has done for Cardiff City and wish him luck in the future.'
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The club have already confirmed Aaron Ramsey, Jamilu Collins, Raheem Conte, Anwar El Ghazi, Kieron Evans, Dimitrios Goutas and Yakou Méïté will leave this month, too, with Rinomhota also likely to join that group. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community.
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