Top Greek gives the Bluebirds solidity

DIMITRIOS Goutas was once asked how he would like to be remembered after he hangs up his boots. "As a reliable central defender that offered quality and safety to my teammates and my coaches," replied the 29-year-old.

- Chris Dunlavy

Eleven games into his Cardiff career, the Greek international is showing those qualities in abundance.

Signed from Turkish side Sivasspor in July, Goutas has missed just 13 minutes of Championship action and is already drawing comparisons with former Bluebirds skipper Sol Bamba, the bubbly Ivorian whose leadership and physical dominance formed the bedrock of Cardiff ’s promotion to the Premier League under Neil Warnock.

Goutas is not yet the dressing room totem that Bamba was, but he is proving a more than adequate replacement for Cedric Kipre, the West Brom loanee whose defensive solidity was instrumental in keeping Cardiff out of League One last season.

“Dimi’s come in and been massive for us, in the changing room and on the pitch,” said Cardiff skipper Joe Ralls. “He’s a top, top lad.” Erol Bulut, Cardiff ’s newly appointed manager, signed 13 players this summer. Goutas topped his wish list.