City to sign Irish 'keeper

Cardiff City are set to strengthen their ranks with the acquisition of a 26 year old Galway goalkeeper later on Tuesday. David Forde is an ex-West Ham player but returned to his previous club Derry after being released by the Hammers.

Forde has now agreed personal terms with the Bluebirds and will be asked to challenge Neil Alexander for the number 1 jersey. Alexander has performed consistently over the last 2 seasons after being on the verge of an exit from Ninian Park when Dave Jones took over. Alexander has fought back from fans criticism to regain his place from the likes of Martyn Margetson (now goalkeeping coach) and Tony Warner and his agile saves have been important for Cardiff in their excellent start to the season. 19 year old Mark Howard joined from Arsenal in the summer but has not been trusted by Jones on the bench until recently after having a poor game when called upon in the 2-0 Carling Cup defeat by Barnet.

'Exciting things are happening at Cardiff - they are a couple of points off the top in the Championship and they've got news of a new 30,000 stadium." Forde told BBC sport.
'It's a club going in all the right directions, it's a great city and I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead. All that's left now is to sign on the dotted line.'
Forde has already agreed personal terms on the move, a deal which takes him up to August 2009.

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