91Èȱ¬

Cardiff City have completed the signing of John Brayford from Derby County in a deal believed to be worth around £1.5m

The 25-year-old full-back, who had a year to run on his Derby contract, has signed a four-year deal with the Premier League newcomers.

"Derby will always be a special club to me, but this was an opportunity I couldn't ignore," he said.

In June, Derby rejected an offer closer to £1m for Brayford from Wigan Athletic.

But the Rams accepted Cardiff's higher offer on Thursday, and Brayford quickly agreed personal terms after expressing his strong desire to move to south Wales.

"When I heard Cardiff were interested in signing me then I was obviously very interested, especially at the prospect of playing in the Premier League and testing myself at the highest level," he told the Cardiff website.

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay has been a long-term admirer and the Bluebirds were linked with the player last December.

Brayford played under Derby boss Nigel Clough at Burton Albion and

West Ham United were also thought to be interested in signing Brayford but Cardiff have won the contest as they strengthen for their debut Premier League season.

Brayford will travel with the Cardiff squad to Cheltenham Town on Saturday for their pre-season friendly at Whadden Road.