Cardiff City closing in on signing of former Luton Town defender Gabriel Osho | OneFootball

Gabriel Osho is set to join the Bluebirds.

Cardiff City are close to completing the signing of Auxerre’s Gabriel Osho.

The Bluebirds have begun the 2025/26 season in superb fashion.

Brian Barry-Murphy's side are yet to taste defeat with four wins and one draw from their opening five League One outings of the campaign, following their relegation from the Championship.

As such, optimism is high among City fans that a memorable season is on the cards, and the addition of one or two quality players before the 1 September deadline certainly wouldn't harm their chances.

Cardiff City close in on Gabriel Osho deal

According to a report from Cardiff City reporter Glen Williams, writing on WalesOnline on Tuesday evening, the Bluebirds are set to sign Auxerre centre-back, Gabriel Osho.

The 27-year-old defender - who has previously worked under Brian Barry Murphy at Rochdale - is believed to have completed a medical with the Bluebirds.

He will become the South Wales side’s first outfield signing of the summer transfer window.

Osho, who has been on Cardiff’s radar since earlier in the summer, is expected to put pen to paper on a deal in the next 24 hours, after final terms are agreed.

The Reading-born centre-half, who has also featured at right back, offers versatility and experience in equal measure, and has played an important role for Auxerre since signing for the French side last summer, starting 20 Ligue 1 games for them last season.

With over 150 senior appearances across the EFL, Premier League and Ligue 1, his addition represents a significant step in bolstering Barry-Murphy’s defensive options heading into the meat and bones of the 2025/26 campaign.

Osho’s profile is notable for Cardiff. He was part of Luton Town’s remarkable rise to the Premier League and played a key role in their survival push, scoring in their high-octane clash against Arsenal.

His subsequent switch to Auxerre underlined his growing reputation, with the Ligue 1 outfit exercising a clause to retain the defender long-term shortly after his arrival.

Former Luton Town man brings Premier League pedigree to Bluebirds

For the Bluebirds, the capture marks a statement of intent.

Cardiff are still unbeaten under Barry Murphy and sit top of League One after five games, with back-to-back away wins over AFC Wimbledon and Luton Town underlining their early credentials.

Osho’s signing would provide the leadership, tactical nous and defensive stability to sustain that momentum.

It is expected that Osho will come in as a first-choice option, but his arrival naturally increases the competition for the second centre-half role.

Will Fish, Dylan Lawlor and Calum Chambers will all remain in contention, with each offering a slightly different profile at the back.

For Barry-Murphy, that depth represents a healthy position, ensuring Cardiff are not over-reliant on any one partnership and have cover across a long and demanding campaign.

With the manager already familiar with the player from their time together at Rochdale, Cardiff appear to be adding a ready-made starter who fits seamlessly into the manager’s style of measured, possession-based football.