Cardiff sign Danish international striker Cornelius

Denmark striker Andreas Cornelius has signed a five-year deal with Cardiff after passing his medical with the Premier League newcomers. The 20-year-old’s transfer will be finalised once international clearance is received.

Cardiff agreed a deal with FC Copenhagen last week and the player underwent his medical at the club’s Vale of Glamorgan training base today Cornelius will join up with his new team-mates next week after a short holiday.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Cornelius told Cardiff City Player. “I’ve been given a great opportunity and this is a very exciting project that’s taking place at Cardiff City. “I’m very happy to be here and to be playing for this club in the Premier League.

“There were opportunities for me this summer and I had to think about what was the right thing to do, the correct step for me to take in terms of my career. I was impressed by what the club is trying to do, the fact it has reached the Premier League and that it has a passionate fan base supporting it.”

Cornelius added: “It’s been a busy few days as I graduated from university back home over the weekend. Both school and football are very important to me, so I had to structure my plans in order to achieve in both.

“I will link up with my new team-mates next Monday and look forward to preparing for the new season. These are very exciting times and I’m looking forward to working with the manager and learning more about this squad.”

The 6ft 4in striker top-scored with 18 goals in the Danish Superliga last season, during which he also made his senior international debut. He hopes his move will enhance his chances with the national team.

“The Danish national team always wants players playing in foreign countries, especially in the English Premier League,” he added. “If I can improve as a player at Cardiff City, which I think I can, then I can be a better player for the Danish national squad as well.”

Cornelius is manager Malky Mackay’s first signing of the summer as he plans for a first season in the Premier League.

Wearside revolution
Elsewhere, Maritimo defender Valentin Roberge today completed his move to Sunderland. The 25-year-old Frenchman became the latest man to join Paolo Di Canio's Wearside revolution after his contract with the Madeira club expired. Roberge, who has signed a three-year deal, played in both Maritimo's Europa League group games against the Black Cats' derby rivals Newcastle last season.

Basle midfielder Cabral became the second man to formally sign for Sunderland. The 24-year-old midfielder, full name Adilson Tavares Varela, followed Roberge into the Stadium of Light after his contract ran down. Cape Verde-born Switzerland Under-21 international Cabral, a defensive midfielder who can also play at the back, has signed a three-year deal.

And the club completed a trio of deals with the arrival of Modibo Diakite arrivals from Lazio. The out-of-contract 26-year-old French central defender signed a three-year deal and will help to plug the gap left by the departing Titus Bramble, who is training with West Ham, and Matt Kilgallon.

The trio join youngsters Duncan Watmore and David Moberg Karlsson on the books at the Stadium of Light with 20-year-old Le Havre midfielder El-Hadji Ba also expected to sign.

Fulham departures
And Fulham have confirmed that Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is leaving the club. The 40-year-old, who signed from Middlesbrough on a free transfer in 2008, had been offered a new contract but turned it down.

Schwarzer, the first overseas player to make 500 top-flight appearances in this country, is one of a number of players confirmed by the club as being released. Others include Chris Baird, 31, who signed from Southampton in 2007, plus Greek midfielder Giorgos Karagounis and Croatian striker Mladen Petric, both after only one season at Craven Cottage.

Another departure is the former Wales international Simon Davies, a key member of Fulham’s run to the 2010 Europa League final. Other departures include Hungarian keeper Csaba Somogyi, manager Martin Jol’s first signing two years ago, plus development squad players Alex Smith, James Musa, Richard Peniket, Tom Donegan and Corey Gameiro