Cardiff City star Sheyi Ojo is relishing life back with the Bluebirds and is determined to make the Welsh capital his home second time around.
The 25-year-old rejoined the club this summer on a two-year contract for his second spell with the Bluebirds, after spending the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Cardiff City Stadium.
A product of the Liverpool Academy, Ojo found it hard to settle and when asked about planting roots down at Cardiff, he said: “It’s a unique journey, I’ve been on loan to a few clubs. It’s been difficult to settle, it’s definitely a massive opportunity this season to feel like this place is my home.”
READ MORE: Cardiff City boss Steve Morison delivers devastating Jamilu Collins injury update
The winger, who will be at Cardiff City Stadium until the summer of 2024, has developed a close relationship with recently-signed defender Jamilu Collins, who has been living with Ojo until his family arrived here in the Welsh capital.
Manager Steve Morison revealed the devastating news on Friday that Collins, 28, will be out for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury. The Bluebirds boss also spoke of how close Ojo and Collins had become since the latter arrived from SC Paderborn.
“Since he’s come, obviously it’s difficult for him coming from a new country, I know what it’s like being on loan, I wanted to help him settle in as much a possible,” Ojo added.
“He was doing really well, I think he got man of the match first game of the season, he was doing really well on and off the pitch. He was getting closer to the team, so it’s really upsetting for him but obviously we’ve got to be there to support him now through his rehab.
“I’m going to personally do whatever I can to help him and his family. I’m sure he’ll come back stronger.”
Few people know more about loan life than Ojo, who himself went out to seven different clubs while with Liverpool, and the difficulties that come with it. The winger, who was first sent on loan to Wigan Athletic at 17 years of age, opened up about his own experiences.
“The initial first few weeks when you go into a new club, you don’t know anyone, kind of like JC (Jamilu Collins) now with his injury,” Ojo said.
“It can definitely impact on your performance without even knowing.”
Ojo had an inconsistent spell with the Bluebirds first time around, but on more than one occasion showed just what he was capable of. The player himself even admitted that his loan stint at Cardiff was the most successful of his career and hopes that will translate into performances on the pitch once again this term.
“Out of all the loans I have had I always felt like Cardiff was the one I felt most comfortable at,” he said of his loan spell last time.
“Cardiff is a big club, realistically it’s a Premier League club, so it’s about getting the club back where it belongs.”
Cardiff fans appear to be brimming with excitement after the first four games of the season yielded seven points. Up next for Morison’s side is Bristol City in the Severnside derby this weekend, a game which will only serve to heighten excitement should they come away from Ashton Gate with a victory.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Ojo believes the squad has started the season strongly and hopes to continue that form against the Robins.
“To be honest we can go really far this season, I think we’ve had a good strong start,” he said. “Obviously the Reading game was disappointing to lose in that way but overall we have been positive.
“I’m looking forward to (the Bristol City game), hopefully we can turn around what was a disappointing season last season and we can get one back on them.”
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