Cardiff City’s promising young right-back Ronan Kpakio has secured his future with the Bluebirds by signing a new contract extension that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2029. The announcement represents a significant milestone for the 18-year-old defender who has emerged as one of the most exciting academy prospects at the Welsh club.
Rising Star Establishes Himself Under Barry-Murphy
Kpakio’s contract extension comes after an impressive breakthrough season under new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy. The teenager has featured in every competitive match prior to the Burnley game for Cardiff City in the 2025/26 campaign, building on the foundation of six appearances he made during the previous season. His consistent performances have established him as a key player in Barry-Murphy’s tactical setup, where young academy graduates have been given prominent roles in the first team.
The Irish manager’s faith in youth has been particularly evident in Kpakio’s development. Barry-Murphy, who took charge of Cardiff City in June 2025, has praised the defender’s potential and versatility as an attacking full-back. The coach highlighted Kpakio’s ability to contribute in the final third, noting his dynamic presence and capacity to create problems for opposing teams.
✍️@CF11Academy graduate and @Cymru international Ronan Kpakio has put pen-to-paper on a new City deal, that will run until the summer of 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣9️⃣!#CityAsOne
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) September 22, 2025
International Recognition and Wales Debut
Kpakio’s rapid rise has not gone unnoticed at international level. Wales head coach Craig Bellamy, who has been monitoring the defender’s progress for several years, included him in the senior squad for World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Belgium in June 2025. Bellamy’s familiarity with Kpakio dates back to his time at Burnley, where he had considered signing the young defender.
The Wales manager has been lofty in his praise of Kpakio’s potential, describing it as “ridiculously high”. Bellamy emphasised the defender’s athleticism and intelligence, highlighting his suitability for the right-back position where Wales have been looking to develop new talent.
Kpakio made his senior international debut in a friendly against Canada in Swansea on September 9th, starting the match and playing 70 minutes before being substituted. The debut represented the culmination of a remarkable journey through Wales’ youth ranks, having been capped at every level from Under-16 to Under-19.
Conclusion
Ronan Kpakio’s contract extension until 2029 represents a significant moment for both player and club. The 18-year-old’s rapid rise from academy prospect to international player demonstrates the potential rewards of Cardiff City’s investment in youth development under Brian Barry-Murphy’s guidance.
With his combination of technical ability, athleticism, and mentality, Kpakio appears well-positioned to continue his impressive development over the coming seasons. His commitment to Cardiff City provides the stability needed for continued growth, while the club secures one of their most promising talents for the long term.
As Cardiff City continue their campaign in League One, Kpakio’s performances will be crucial to their promotion ambitions. His contract extension ensures that one of Welsh football’s brightest prospects will be contributing to those efforts for years to come, representing a positive step forward for both player and club.
