Cardiff City snap up Wycombe winger Kadeem Harris

Jan 31 2012 By Greg Burns

Kadeem Harris

KADEEM Harris turned down the chance to pen a contract extension at Wycombe to sign for Championship side Cardiff City.

The 18-year-old signed a three-and-a-half year deal at the Welsh promotion chasers yesterday after passing a medical.

The Advertiser understands the cost of the deal is close to £300,000 before future performance and appearance add-ons are included.

Harris was Wycombe's youngest-ever Football League player when he came on at Yeovil on Boxing Day, 2009, at the age of 16 years and 201 days.

That record was beaten by team-mate Jordon Ibe who made his debut at 15 years and 244 days in the Carling Cup before securing his own dream move to Liverpool in December.

Harris went on to make 26 appearances for Wanderers and scoop the League Two Apprentice of the Year award last season and his former team-mates took to Twitter to wish him well.

Midfielder Jesse Kewley-Graham, who joined Harris in signing a professional deal last year, said: "Best of luck to my boy Kadeem, great player and wish him well for his bright future ahead of him."

"Good luck to Kadeem on his move to Cardiff City," said goalkeeper Nikki Bull. "Good business by the club with the player being out of contract in the summer."

That view was echoed by Blues boss Gary Waddock who told the club website: "It's a good deal for all parties. Like Jordon Ibe recently, we didn't want to stand in the way of Kadeem and the opportunity for him to play at a higher level."