Cardiff City Set To Sign Nick Chan – Son of TG ?

Cardiff City today finalised the move from Dato Chan Tien Ghee’s Malaysian consortium to take over the running of the club with the formal acceptance of their £6m investment.

With ‘TG’ having courted the club for over 6 months, and kept almost daily contact with CCFC officials in recent months, he has become caght up in the atmosphere around the Bluebirds and his jubilation (against Leicester City) and heartache (at Wembley) were evident for all.

TG’s initial contact with the club was when his son, Nick Chan, was offered a trial at the Bluebirds – and impressed. He has also had spells with West Ham and had already agreed to talk with Dave Jones this summer over a potential further trial with the Bluebirds after completing his A-levels.

With Chan’s father now Chairman of the club, a move looks all the more likely and has clearly been on the cards for some time. An interview given by Chan in the Malaysian Star (March 2010) suggests he is determined to return to Cardiff City:


“The coaches there are so committed. I was training mostly with the first team at Cardiff. Even when it was snowed in, the reserve team coach would give me one-on-one training indoors. He still calls me from time to time to see how I`m doing, and I`m not even their player yet!”

“That`s why I feel like going back to Cardiff. The coaches give us their best, so I feel like giving them my best too.”

“I had quite good reviews. The coaches said that if I had started earlier I would already be playing professional by now. But now it always feels like I`m playing catch-up there.”

“Right now, even if there was a chance to play professionally in League Two, I`d take it. But I really want to play for Cardiff. I feel like I belong there.”


There are currently no Malaysian players in the Football League, and with the Bluebirds looking to creat close ties with Malaysia and the lucrative and passionate Asian markets, Chan could be an important signing. He is primarily a defensive player, able to operate in defence or midfield, but has not had the training or experience many teenagers coming through the British system have had.

The Bluebirds’ reputation as a ‘family club’ could yet be further enhanced, if, as Chan hopes, he is able to secure a contract and join his father as part of Cardiff City Football Club.