Cardiff's Anyadike becomes youngest player in EFL Cup history

ByGeorge Rees-Julian

BBC Sport Wales, Cardiff City Stadium

Cardiff City's Noah Anyadike became the youngest player in EFL Cup history when he started their 2-1 second-round defeat against Norwich City.

The Bluebirds had just completed their second season at the Cardiff City Stadium when Anyadike was born, and that is where he made his debut 15 years later.

Without a senior option at centre-back due to an injury crisis, the teenager was thrust in for his debut at 15 years and 98 days old.

His inclusion from the start saw him break the record previously held by Harvey Elliot, who featured for Fulham aged 15 years and 174 days in 2019

But in a cruel twist of fate, Anyadike, who also became the youngest player in Cardiff history, hobbled off with a muscle cramp in the second half.

"It was an incredible evening for him and really well deserved. We've been lucky because he's still in school, so he spent so much time with us in the school holidays," said Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy

"He's making exceptional strides, and he's a very talented player. We were very clear that he was the best option for this game based on how well he's done."

Anyadike is the third player in under 12 months to become Cardiff's youngest player, following Rob Tankiewicz (16 years and 117 days) and Axel Donczew (15 years and 234 days).

But the young defender from Carmarthenshire is not the youngest player in English Football League history.

That honour is still held by Reuben Noble-Lazarus - Barry-Murphy's former Rochdale team-mate - who debuted aged 15 years and 45 days in 2008.

Barry-Murphy, who spent time as Manchester City's youth team boss, understands the role Cardiff have in developing Anyadike as a person and a footballer.

"I think [we] just [have] to expose him to the level of challenge that he's capable of playing and pushing really," he added.

"As you saw, he's very big for his age. He can play at a very high level, so we just have to keep pushing him to make sure that he keeps getting the exposures and the level of challenge he needs.

"And keep educating him on the parts of his game that he needs to improve because he's so young.

"There are always ups and downs for all players at that age when they make their debut.

"Our job now is to make sure that we protect him, educate him, but also push him to make sure that he can have the education and experience that he needs to become a very important player for Cardiff."

Anyadike may well make his Championship debut on Saturday when Cardiff host Sheffield United, and could be joined by a returning Gabriel Osho.

Osho, 13 years Anyadike's senior, is expected to return to Cardiff training on Thursday, with the hope of featuring on the weekend.