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Joe Ralls says classy farewell as he leaves Cardiff after 15 years and 409 appearances

The much loved Joe Ralls says a classy farewell as he leaves League One side Cardiff City after 15 years and 409 appearances.

The Bluebirds has announced that Joe Ralls, a club legend with over 15 years of service, will leave on June 30th, 2025, when his contract expires, having made 409 appearances, scored 34 goals, and contributed to two Premier League promotions and the 2012 League Cup final.

Rising from an Academy prospect to club captain, his impact as a midfielder, leader, and community figure is widely praised.

He expressed gratitude to fans, staff, teammates, and the board, reflecting on his dream of playing professionally, the highs and lows, and his pride in captaining the club. He endorsed new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy and urged fans to support the team’s future.

Ralls leaves as a beloved figure, celebrated for his contributions on and off the pitch, with the club and fans wishing him success in his next chapter.

CARDIFF STATEMENT:

Cardiff City Football Club can confirm Joe Ralls will depart the Club on June 30th 2025, following the conclusion of his current contract.

Joe leaves Cardiff City Stadium as a legend of the Club, with over 15 years of service to the Bluebirds. Rallsy made 409 appearances for City, scoring 34 times while winning promotion to the Premier League on two occasions and helping the Bluebirds reach the League Cup final in 2012.

He has gone from Academy prospect to Club captain. His impact in a Cardiff City shirt cannot be overstated.

Tan Sri Vincent Tan said: “Players like Joe Ralls don’t come around very often in the modern game. Joe has displayed incredible loyalty and love throughout his 15 years here.

“Whether it has been in the midfield, or showing leadership behind the scenes, and always joining in with our community, he has been a figurehead and a gentleman in everything he does. He has the respect of everyone at Cardiff City Football Club. Thank you, Joe.”

Club Chairman Mehmet Dalman added: “It has been a great pleasure to work with a consummate professional and wonderful human in Joe.

“He has led by example every single day. We wish nothing but the utmost success to Joe for the remainder of his playing career and thank him immensely for his efforts with the Club.”

CEO & Executive Director Ken Choo said: “Joe has been a wonderful representative for our football club over the past fifteen years. His story from the Academy to leading the team is a great inspiration to those coming through.

“I’d like to personally thank Joe for everything he has done for Cardiff City and wish him luck in the future.”

Joe’s time with the Bluebirds began in 2010, joining City’s Academy from Farnborough. During his apprenticeship at 17-years-old, Rallsy made his First Team debut in August 2011 in the first game of our run to the League Cup final. Within two months, he’d penned a first professional contract and was scoring on his league debut, against Hull City.

He played 20 times for City across the cup final season of 2011/12 and the Championship title campaign of 2012/13, before heading out on loan to Yeovil Town for the 2013/14 season. Rallsy returned to the Bluebirds First Team for 2014/15 and has been a key member of the squad ever since.

His best scoring seasons in Cardiff City blue came in our promotion winning campaign of 2017/18 and play-off challenging 2019/20, when Joe netted on seven occasions. He scored his first hat-trick for the Club in the latter, hitting three as the Bluebirds defeated Birmingham City.

Equally as impressive as what he did on the field for the Club were Joe’s charity and community work. Joe has been keenly involved with Cardiff City’s Community Foundation, Disabled Supporters Association and always offered words of guidance, advice and support to any initiative that benefitted the South Wales community. He may not have been born in our city, but Joe has earned the right to be called a ‘Cardiffian’.

After many years assisting Sean Morrison, Rallsy was appointed Club captain before the 2022/23 season, leading the Club for three years. In January 2025, Joe made his 400th appearance for City, also breaking into the list for top ten most appearances for the Bluebirds.

Joe Ralls says: “It’s incredibly hard to find the words after 15 years here Bluebirds, but the time has come for me to move on and for the club to go in a new direction.

“I would never have dreamt when I arrived in the capital city of Wales all those years ago that I would’ve been here this long and gone on to achieve what we have together.

“To the people around the city and the club that have made me feel at home, I can’t thank you enough. All the conversations I’ve had with people around the streets of Cardiff I’ve always appreciated.

It’s a beautiful city and one I’ve been very fortunate to call home for the last 15 years.

It’s always been my dream to play professional football and this club gave me that opportunity which I will always be grateful for. To go on and represent it over 400 times has been beyond my wildest imagination.

Through all the highs of cup runs, two promotions, the Premier League seasons to the lows of relegations and tragedies that our club has endured. We’ve witnessed it all together during my time here and one constant through all of it has been your support of me and the rest of the team.

I’d like to thank the owner, Tan Sri, and all of our board members for the trust they’ve placed in me over the years. The managers and coaches who I’ve always tried to do my best for and to my teammates.

“I’ve made friends for life at this football club and, together over many years, we’ve been able to give you fans plenty of great memories, which is what football is all about.

“My proudest moment throughout my career has been leading this club and group of players out over the last 3 seasons. It’s been tough at times, none more so than last season, but trust me, there’s an amazing group of lads at our club who are desperate to have success here.

“They will need your continued support over the next season and beyond, like you always do.

“I’d like to thank our new head coach, Brian Barry-Murphy, for being completely honest with me. That’s all I can ask for as a player and after our conversation I’m really excited about the future of this football club and wish him and his team the best of luck for the upcoming season.

“Special mention to the unsung heroes at a football club, the medical and back room staff at the Vale who work tirelessly to ensure we get what we need as players, and all the great people down the stadium who make sure our loyal fans get the right opportunities to support the team.

“Finally… there are no words that can explain how grateful I am to every single fan that has supported me over the years.

“Through the good times and the bad, you’ve always been there for me and I can’t thank you enough.

“You are the heartbeat of this football club. When the whole club pulls in the same right direction, it’s a monumental power.

“I’ve seen it at its best and I can’t wait for the day we’re back to that place. Good luck to you all.”

This is how fans reacted after Joe Ralls says a classy farewell as he leaves Cardiff after 15 years and 409 appearances…

@Richjblake1: Everything us fans want in a player. I hope whoever walks in his footsteps and joins us looks at Ralls as an example of what us fans expect in terms of effort and commitment.

@snoopysnoopy135: Spending more time with the medics the past few seasons than on the pitch. Gonna find it hard to find somebody who puts in his level of shifts in the centre. Thank you Joe for everything you’ve done for our club. All the best for you future wherever that maybe \0/ <0> \0/

@jamieheath_: The last player left from my favorite ever Cardiff team. It is sad that it’s truly an end of an era, but I have trust in BBM to build a team that will create more special memories as the great players that went before them. All the best Ralls 💙

@Teds_Tours27: It’s been a pleasure to watch you pull on the shirt. Always lead from the front, never taking a backwards step. Thank you for all the memories over the years Joe. All the best with the next move. There will always be a space in the canton for you. #ThankYouRallys

@liam_brett7: Classy statement for a quality professional, absolutely gutted, all the best rallsy, you was one of the very few left in that current squad that actually cares.

@Ninian_Talk: All the best Joe in whatever is next for you, will be a huge miss as the team is always better when you are leading it as captain. Thank you, legend 💙

@Jonno2601: Congrats Rallsy on a great career with us. It’s easy to remember the good times but you were a constant leader during the bad times too. Good luck for the remainder of your career, hopefully the club make you an ambassador in the future. Hopefully there’s good times ahead for us!

@Azaccfc81: No words can describe our feelings but a big thankyou from us fans. You represented everything Cardiff City and will be missed for all you did on and off the pitch. Club legend and a hero to all the younger fans!

@MactheMoose23: Thank you @Joe_Ralls for all you’ve given the club over the years. A big mistake to let you leave when your experience would have been invaluable in League 1. Particularly as u were the only player who played with any passion recently & was prepared to put in a tackle. Sad times

@Richjblake1: Thank you for your service over the 15 years Joe. Someone who cares deeply about the club and always led by example. Best of luck to whatever is next

@ACommonBluebird: Joe there are few players now who show such loyalty and commitment to a club. It has been a privilege to have you with us. So many great moments. The promotions, The hat trick v Birmingham and lets not forget bringing that Burnley fan down to earth. You’ll be missed. Pob lwc

@Grwilliams65: Rallsy i am gutted. True City legend. Thank you for giving everything to our club. Hopefully see u supporting the boys in the atands sometime. 💙

@FrazerJones11: Thank you for everything, skipper. You’re a special individual and a credit to our club. We’re going to miss you.💙

@bluebird1louise: Devastated to read this but such a heartfelt statement. Thank you Joe, your contribution and passion will never be forgotten. Good luck for the future. 💙

@DiffDevelopment: Pleasure to have known you skipper. Model pro, fantastic ambassador but first and foremost a top bloke. Best wishes for the future Joe, you’ll be sadly missed around the place lad.

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