Cardiff City have completed the loan signing of Ajax midfielder Sivert Mannsverk.

Having already landed Yousef Salech from Swedish side Sirius earlier in the window, the Bluebirds have captured the talented Norwegian on a deal until the end of the campaign.

The 22-year-old's season has been plagued by injury to date, making just two appearances for the Dutch giants. But his arrival in south Wales will bolster manager Omer Riza's options in the middle of the park, given the injury to David Turnbull combined with Aaron Ramsey's lengthy lay-off, ahead of a crucial Championship run-in as they look to climb away from relegation trouble.

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Mannsverk had been the subject of transfer interest from German side FC Nurnberg, but the central midfielder opted for the Welsh capital and believes he is ready to challenge himself in the "robust" Championship. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to getting started. I know Cardiff City is a huge club. In the past, they have played a lot of Premier League football," he said.

"I’m from Norway and Norwegians are very into English football. I really wanted to try it, and coming to Cardiff City was an easy decision. It’s a good impression; the stadium is really nice and I’m looking forward to meeting the fans.

“This is a big challenge for me. That’s also why I wanted to take this challenge, because I like challenges. The Championship is a tough league, a robust league, so hopefully it fits my type of play. I would describe myself as a technical and tactical player. I also have a robustness in me, which you need to play in the Championship. I also want to give this team technical ability with my skills.

“I talked to Jesper [Daland] yesterday as well and spoke about the club, and he was very positive about a lot of things here in the club, so he definitely helped me to come here. I’m looking forward to playing with him again since we played a lot of U21 games together.”

A Norway youth international, for whom he played alongside current Bluebirds defender Jesper Daland, Mannsverk caught the eye with Sogndal in the Norwegian second division.

His impressive displays at the base of midfield earned him a move to Norwegian giants Molde, where he continued his fine form on the way to winning the Norwegian Cup — he scored the winning goal in the final — and the Eliteserien in 2022. In that year, he was voted the Eliteserien's breakthrough player of the season.

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In September 2023, Mannsverk penned a five-year deal with European giants Ajax, however he has played just 18 games for the Amsterdam outfit, owing to both injury and competition in his position.

“He’s very hungry and wants to do well, he’s a good quality player in midfield and is someone that will really add to the squad," manager Riza added.

"Defensively, he is strong and powerful, he’s good in duels and will protect the back four really well. He senses danger and his positioning is good.

“Attacking-wise, he can get himself out of tight situations with his technical ability and can drive forwards with the ball from deep areas, taking players out of the game and allowing us to attack with more players. He’s got good qualities in and out of possession, a strong boy, powerful and a good engine on him. All-round, he’s a very good player who will add to our squad.

“Players always yearn for competitiveness. An extra addition in there will hopefully push our players, who have done excellently so far, to be even better. It will push Sivert as well. Our players that are coming in are coming into a group that is very close and working hard. They need to show they can be a part of that and I’m sure they will do.”