Gerrard makes Bluebirds move

3rd July 2009

Cardiff have signed centre-back Anthony Gerrard from Walsall for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old's arrival in the Welsh capital on Thursday night comes after Dave Jones also secured the services of fellow central defender Mark Hudson from Charlton.

"I'm really excited about joining Cardiff," Gerrard told the club's official website. "As soon as I heard they were interested in me I never gave it a second thought. All the facilities here really are top notch, everything is there for us to get into the Premier League."

Gerrard, cousin of Liverpool and England midfielder Steven, comes with a strong reputation having been a lynchpin in the Saddlers' defence during recent years, making close to 180 appearances for the club since arriving from Everton back in 2005.

The Liverpool-born defender handed in a written transfer request to the League One outfit last September after a bid from Southampton was rejected. And several clubs have shown an interested in acquiring his services this summer, with Scunthorpe having a £200,000 bid rejected just hours earlier.

Walsall will also receive financial gain from any further success Gerrard achieves. Chief executive Roy Whalley told the midlands club's official website: "He is an ambitious lad who wants to play at a higher level and we wish him every success in the future."