Cardiff City have completed an eye-catching signing of Ajax midfielder Sivert Mannsverk ahead of their forthcoming trip to Leeds United.

The talented Norwegian has joined the Bluebirds on loan for the remainder of the season and could make his Championship bow against the Whites at Elland Road on Saturday afternoon. Mannsverk, who kicked off his career at Sogndal before joining Molde, was snapped up by Ajax in a £5m deal in 2023.

But the 22-year-old has only made two league appearances for the Dutch giants this season due to injury. Mannsverk, who had been the subject of transfer interest from German side FC Nurnberg, said: “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.

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"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.”

Mannsverk becomes City's second signing of the January transfer window, following on from striker Yousef Salech. A seven-match unbeaten league run has seen the Bluebirds move up to 18th in the table, four points clear of the relegation zone.