Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Thursday, June 26. Charlton Athletic boss Nathan Jones has spoken publicly for the first time about speculation linking him with the Cardiff City manager’s job earlier this summer. The Welshman was one of the names under consideration as the Bluebirds searched for a new head coach following Omer Riza鈥檚 departure, but the Bluebirds ultimately opted to appoint former Rochdale and ex-Manchester City EDS boss Brian Barry-Murphy. Speaking to Sky Sports News , Jones admitted his connection to the Welsh capital club, but reaffirmed his commitment to Charlton, with whom he won promotion to the Championship via the play-offs back in May. 鈥淐ardiff is close to my heart,鈥 Jones said. 鈥淏ut this now is my job, my project, my passion. Nothing veered me from what I wanted to do.鈥 The 51-year-old previously managed Luton Town, Stoke City and Southampton. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community Eastleigh have completed the signing of former Cardiff winger Kieron Evans on a free transfer following his departure from the Bluebirds. The 23-year-old arrives at the Silverlake Stadium after the Spitfires saw off competition from EFL clubs to secure his signature. Evans will officially join the National League outfit on July 1 once his contract with Cardiff expires. Evans made 34 appearances on loan at Newport County last season and has amassed over 100 senior appearances during his career, including 12 for boyhood club Cardiff and spells with Linfield, Gateshead and Torquay United. The former Wales youth international, who came through the ranks at Cardiff from under-8 level, made his senior debut in 2021 against Nottingham Forest in the Championship. He also lifted the FA Trophy during a loan stint with Gateshead. Speaking after signing, Evans said: 鈥淚t feels amazing. I came here this morning and met everyone. Everything feels and sounds amazing. I can’t wait to get started. “I had a few conversations with Kelvin [Davis] over the phone. It was the two-year plan, and seeing the vision of where they want to be 鈥 that sold me.” He added: “Where we all want to be is in the EFL. If we can push into the play-offs this year, then I think that will be a good start. The way they want to play and win games this season really drew me in. “I’ve had three good loans at totally different clubs. Maturing as a man is the most valuable experience I’ve had. Winning the FA Trophy is the best moment of my career so far 鈥 winning on penalties was a great feeling.” Evans described himself as a hardworking, attack-minded player: 鈥淚 will give 110 per cent. I like to work hard and get stuck in, but you鈥檒l see my qualities on the ball too. I鈥檓 comfortable off both feet, like to take players on, score goals and provide assists.鈥 Arsenal鈥檚 Under-21s have been confirmed as the fourth and final team in Cardiff City鈥檚 group for the 2025/26 Vertu Trophy, setting up an intriguing mix of youth and experience in Southern Group A. The young Gunners join the Bluebirds, local rivals Newport County and League One side Exeter City in what is now one of the standout groups of this season鈥檚 competition. Arsenal are one of 16 Category One academies from Premier League clubs invited to enter under-21 teams into the tournament 鈥 formerly known as the EFL Trophy 鈥 alongside the 48 senior sides from League One and League Two. Cardiff鈥檚 clash with Newport already promises to be a hotly-contested fixture, given the historical rivalry between the two Welsh clubs and the rarity of their competitive meetings. But the addition of a top-flight academy team like Arsenal adds another layer of intrigue for fans and further tests for Brian Barry-Murphy鈥檚 youthful Bluebirds squad. The Vertu Trophy group stage sees 64 clubs split into 16 regional groups 鈥 eight in the North and eight in the South 鈥 with the top two sides from each progressing to the knockout rounds. Cardiff鈥檚 group now pits them against a Premier League academy famed for developing talent, an ambitious Newport side from League Two, and Exeter, who have gained a reputation for producing their own young stars. It will be the first competitive meeting between Cardiff and Newport since a dramatic FAW Premier Cup tie in 2008, which ended in a penalty shoot-out win for County at Ninian Park. Their last league meeting came back in April 1988, when the Bluebirds ran out 4-0 winners. Fixtures and dates for Group A will be confirmed in due course, with matches set to begin later this summer. Cardiff City鈥檚 return to League One for the first time in over two decades begins with a high-profile home clash against Peterborough United on Saturday, August 2 (12.30pm kick-off), as Brian Barry-Murphy’s side look to make a strong start in the third tier. The Bluebirds then travel to Port Vale and face home games against Rotherham United and Plymouth Argyle before the month is out, with tricky away trips to AFC. Wimbledon and Luton Town also lined up in August. Over the festive period, Cardiff face Lincoln City away on December 20 before welcoming Exeter City to Cardiff City Stadium on Boxing Day. They round off the calendar year with a home tie against Stevenage on December 29, followed by a New Year鈥檚 Day trip to Wycombe Wanderers. In the final stretch of the season, the Bluebirds will hope to be pushing for promotion as they take on Bolton, Reading and Northampton in April, before finishing the campaign away at Mansfield Town on May 2. 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