Meite: Cardiff project was attractive and hard to turn down

Cardiff City new signing Yakou Meite has revealed that he was convinced to join the team after open-hearted discussions with coach Erol Bulut.

The Ivory Coast international signed a two-year deal with the Welsh club that plies trade in the English second-tier Championship after cutting ties with Reading.

Meite, 27, was a free agent after turning down a new deal at the Royals following their relegation from the Championship last season.

“It wasn’t a difficult decision to join Cardiff City once they came in for me,” Meite said.

“I’ve had many conversations with the manager (Erol Bulut), and I very much liked what I heard from him and the project he wanted to achieve at this club.”

Meite, who previously played for French giants PSG, scored 47 goals in 165 appearances in his seven-year stint at Reading.

Meite, who managed four goals last season, becomes the third recruit for new Bluebirds boss Bulut.

“It’s a great signing for us. He will help us a lot with his power and speed. He has played the last five or six years in the Championship, so he knows the league very well,” Bulut said.

Cardiff cannot pay transfer fees for players because of an EFL embargo.    BY THE STAR