Cardiff City have tied down teenage starlet Ronan Kpakio to a new four-year contract, but Premier League side Burnley remain among the clubs monitoring his rapid rise.
The Bluebirds, now under the guidance of Brian Barry-Murphy, are leaning heavily on youth as they attempt to rebuild in League One. Kpakio’s emergence has become symbolic of that approach, and while the new deal offers reassurance, the full-back’s form has already attracted serious outside interest.
Kpakio’s Breakthrough Season
The 18-year-old defender had made his senior debut last season, but it is during the opening months of 2025/26 that he has truly established himself. After a strong pre-season, Kpakio was handed a starting role by Barry-Murphy and wasted no time in justifying the decision. His first professional goal came on the opening day against Peterborough United, a composed finish that showcased both his energy and attacking instinct from deep.
Since then, the teenager has been almost ever-present on the right-hand side, operating as both a full-back and a wing-back depending on Cardiff’s shape. His versatility has been matched by consistency, and his commitment has already made him a firm favourite with supporters frustrated by the club’s relegation from the Championship.
On the international stage, his progress has been recognised with a debut for Wales in a friendly against Canada, further underlining his growing reputation.
Cardiff move quickly
Cardiff have moved decisively to secure Kpakio’s future, offering him a four-year contract to ward off potential suitors. That has not stopped interest, with Burnley named among the clubs to have tracked his development. The Clarets, who face Cardiff in the Carabao Cup tonight, will have the chance to run the rule over him first-hand at Turf Moor.
For Barry-Murphy, the emergence of Kpakio and several of his peers has been vital. Operating under a tighter budget than many League One rivals, he has leaned on the club’s academy, introducing players such as Dylan Lawlor, Cian Ashford and Joel Colwill alongside more established names Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies. That policy has brought freshness to a squad that had grown stale, but it also makes the challenge of retaining talent like Kpakio a constant concern.
Writer’s View
Kpakio’s rise is a reminder that Cardiff’s future may lie as much in nurturing their own as it does in chasing costly recruits. The teenager has slotted seamlessly into League One football and his early Wales involvement suggests he is destined for a long international career.
The new contract represents a statement of intent from Cardiff, but the reality is that sustained interest from the Premier League will continue if his performances maintain their upward curve.
