By: Jeff Jefferson
The son of Son of Liberian Activist Maxim Kpakio (Ronan Kpakio), who plays professional football for Cardiff City in the United Kingdom has sign a new long-term deal after impressing during a breakthrough year.
The right-back has enjoyed a stunning start to the 2025/26 campaign, starting all but one of Cardiff’s League One fixtures this term, with his fantastic form earning him a call-up and first cap for the Wales senior team this month.
Teenager Kpakio has been at Cardiff since he was eight, but broke through last season under Erol Bulut and Omer Riza, before an injury in January set him back in the tail end of the campaign.
But the 18-year-old has shot out of the traps this season and has been rewarded with a bumper four-year contract.
“I’m delighted to get this done,” he said after signing a deal to keep him at Cardiff until 2029.
“I had to show in pre-season that I was capable of getting a spot in this team. There is a young group of players in our team from the Academy and that is an exciting thing for us to be trusted by the first team management.
“Brian (Barry-Murphy) really believes in us. I feel I can be confident on and off the ball. It’s what you dream of.
“As a young player, I take bits off everyone. I take every piece of advice I can get. I know I need to keep working hard, stay grounded and stay humble.”
Kpakio has caught the eye with his blistering pace and ease on the ball, which has suited the style of football under Brian
Barry-Murphy, while his thunderous strike against Peterborough United on the opening day of the season really catapulted him into the limelight.
Wales boss Craig Bellamy has also waxed lyrical about the defender, saying after handing him his debut against Canada earlier this month: “We need to push this 18-year-old kid, I need to get him ready,” Bellamy said, potentially hinting at Wales’ lack of long-term options on the right-hand side of defence.
“Because he’s going to be a really top player. You see his profile, he is going to be so athletic.”
Bellamy admitted he wanted to buy him when he was assistant boss at Burnley last year, while this summer, clubs in both the Championship and the Premier League made their interest known.
His father Ambassador Maxson Kpakio speaking with this news outlet said “Well, glory be to God for HIS blessings.” I’m hugely delighted about this exciting and promising news.
“To see your child being blessed like Ronan has been, especially in his career path, it is amazing. My praying is that the God Almighty continues to protect and bless him”, he added.
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