Gary Madine says he never wanted £6m Cardiff City move

Gary Madine has said he wanted to stay at Bolton Wanderers rather than make the £6m move to Cardiff City in January 2018.

The 36-year-old’s comments concern the deal that brought him to Neil Warnock’s promotion-chasing side. Speaking to The Bolton News before his charity boxing debut, Madine said he had asked Bolton manager Phil Parkinson for a new contract or a pay rise so he could remain.

“I didn’t want to go at all,” Madine told The Bolton News about joining Cardiff.

He said Bolton’s financial difficulties explained their decision to accept the fee, but felt the price tag had not helped him. Madine also said he did not believe he had been worth that amount.

He had scored 10 goals for Bolton by January in the 2017/18 season, while the club fought to stay in the Championship. Cardiff signed him on deadline day to bolster their attack for the promotion run-in.

The Bluebirds reached the Premier League that season, but Madine’s spell with the club ended without a goal in 28 appearances.

Split-decision win on boxing debut

Madine beat former QPR and Swindon Town defender Jamie Sendles-White on a split decision on Thursday 22 October at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, WalesOnline reports.

The bout formed part of Pro Project Promotions’ A Night to Remember III charity event, hosted by former Cardiff goalkeeping coach Graham Stack.

Before the contest, Madine said he had agreed to take part during a phone call while on holiday after having a few drinks. He acknowledged that Sendles-White had more boxing experience and a slight weight advantage.

Another former Bluebird, Armand Traore, was stopped in the third round by Sebastien Bassong. A planned fight between Nile Ranger and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was cancelled after pre-fight medical checks.

Source: WalesOnline