According to Sky Sports, Cardiff City have signed midfielder Victor Camarasa from Real Betis on a season-long loan deal. With the transfer deadline fast approaching, the Bluebirds were in dire need of bolstering their midfield ranks. Although they were linked with a move for Liverpool’s Marko Grujic, Neil Warnock eventually swooped in on Camarasa.
Signed on deadline day, the 24-year-old has become the Bluebirds’ fifth signing of the summer. He arrives at Cardiff City Stadium after Josh Murphy, Bobby Reid, Alex Smithies and Greg Cunningham.
Camarasa joined Betis from Levante last summer. He signed a five-year deal with the Estadio Benito Villamarín side. Last campaign, he played a vital role as Betis finished sixth in the La Liga. Camarasa made 26 appearances across all competitions, scoring once.
This summer, Quique Setien’s side has heavily invested in the transfer market ahead of the next campaign. Betis have signed the likes of William Carvalho, Takashi Inui and Sergio Canales. The summer arrivals would have pushed the Spain U21 international down the pecking order. Hence, his decision to move elsewhere is truly commendable.
Camarasa has scored eight goals and provided five assists in 116 La Liga appearances for Levante and Betis. A natural central midfielder, the versatile Spaniard can also play in defensive and attacking midfield.
Camarasa was an unused substitute as Cardiff lost 2-1 against Betis in the Welsh capital last Saturday. He had featured against Bournemouth, Cardiff’s season opener opponents, about 24 hours earlier.
Odds-on favorites to drop back to the Championship in May, Cardiff needed to add quality and depth to their midfield to survive relegation. Now, however, Camarasa must quickly adjust to life outside Spain and the fast nature of the English game to help the Bluebirds to a comfortable mid-table finish.
Anything besides avoiding relegation will be a bonus for the South Wales side. At only 24 years of age, Camarasa’s best days are ahead of him. He could play a vital role for the Bluebirds this campaign. He might not be Grujic, who helped Warnock’s side finish behind Wolves last season, but he would a good addition at the heart of Cardiff’s midfield.
