Key Points
- Cardiff City are set to sign Lincoln City midfielder Jack Moylan on a permanent deal, with the transfer expected to be completed on 5 August 2026.
- Moylan, 24, impressed in Lincoln’s promotion-winning League One campaign, scoring 11 league goals and providing seven assists.
- Lincoln chief executive Liam Scully said on Tuesday night that he expected the deal to go through, with the clubs understood to have agreed a significant fee.
- The move would reunite Moylan with Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy, another Irishman.
- WalesOnline described Moylan as a “little magician”, while BBC Sport reported he was Cardiff’s second summer signing after goalkeeper Nathan Trott.
- Moylan has already made his senior Republic of Ireland debut and scored a hat-trick against Grenada.
- Lincoln are expected to make a sizeable profit, having signed him for about £50,000.
Cardiff City F.C.(Wales Times) August 05, 2026- uk/local/cardiff/">Cardiff City are close to completing the signing of Jack Moylan from Lincoln City, with the Republic of Ireland midfielder set to join the Championship club after an impressive season in League One. The move has been widely reported on 5 August 2026, with Lincoln chief executive Liam Scully and BBC Sport Lincolnshire both indicating the deal is nearing completion.
How did Cardiff City move for Jack Moylan?
As reported by BBC Sport and later expanded on by WalesOnline and The Independent, Cardiff moved for Moylan after he played a central role in Lincoln’s promotion to the Championship. The 24-year-old contributed goals, assists and creativity from midfield, prompting Cardiff to act before the new season gets under way.
Why is Jack Moylan being described as a key signing?
According to BBC Sport, Moylan’s League One form made him a standout player for Lincoln, and his arrival would give Cardiff another attacking midfield option for Brian Barry-Murphy’s side. WalesOnline quoted Lincoln fan and editor Gary Hutchinson, who called him “a little magician” and said he thrives in the space behind the striker, where he can turn defenders and create chances.
What have Lincoln City said about the transfer?
Lincoln chief executive Liam Scully said the deal was not fully done when he spoke on Tuesday night, but he expected it to be completed. The Independent reported that Scully described the move as imminent, while also stressing that it would happen on the selling club’s terms.
What does the move mean for Cardiff City?
BBC Sport reported that Moylan would be Cardiff’s second signing of the summer after goalkeeper Nathan Trott. The reunion with Barry-Murphy could help Moylan settle quickly, while Cardiff will also hope his creativity translates from League One to the Championship.
What are the risks attached to the transfer?
The main question is whether Moylan can repeat his Lincoln form at Championship level, since he has not yet played in the division. As WalesOnline noted, there is a degree of risk because players who dominate in League One do not always have the same impact in a stronger league.
Background of the development
Jack Moylan joined Lincoln City from Shelbourne in January 2024 after progressing through Irish football with Bohemians and Wexford, and he later signed a contract extension that was reported by BBC Sport in March 2026. Lincoln then made their Championship push, with Moylan becoming an important part of that campaign before Cardiff moved in for him.
Prediction
For Cardiff supporters, the signing could be an encouraging signal that the club are backing Brian Barry-Murphy with players who fit his style of play. If Moylan adapts quickly, his creativity and attacking instincts could improve Cardiff’s chance creation; if he takes time to settle, he may still need a bedding-in period before becoming a regular starter.
