Ryan Wintle has confirmed he will leave Cardiff City this summer, bringing to an end one of the biggest rollercoaster careers in the club’s recent history.
The 28-year-old announced his departure in an emotional Instagram post, admitting he was “gutted” to be leaving and revealing his exit was “a decision that was completely out of my control.”
His departure may come as a major shock to supporters after a sensational 2025/26 campaign in which he played a pivotal role in Cardiff’s instant return to the Championship.
Wintle’s farewell message highlighted the strong connection he built with both the club and city during his five seasons in South Wales.
“I’ve loved my five years at the club and have been lucky enough to meet and work with some truly terrific people along the way,” he said.
The midfielder also paid tribute to the Bluebirds supporters, adding, “it’s been an absolute pleasure to represent this club.”
Perhaps the most heartfelt of them all was his final line, as Wintle wrote, “this city will always hold a massive place in my heart, especially having started my family here.”
Wintle’s time at Cardiff has been anything but straightforward.
After joining on a free transfer from Crewe Alexandra in June 2021, he was soon loaned out to Blackpool by Mick McCarthy.
However, in January, new manager Steve Morison recalled him, and the midfielder quickly became a key figure as Cardiff pulled clear of the relegation zone in the second half of the 2021/22 campaign.
Wintle cemented his place in South Wales the following season, featuring in 45 of 46 Championship matches as the Bluebirds preservered their second tier status after a turbulent campaign under Morison, Mark Hudson, and Sabri Lamouchi.
He remained a regular in the 2023/24, making 42 Championship appearances and captaining the side on occasions under Erol Bulut as Cardiff finished 12th.
However, the former Crewe man was largely used in a more advanced role as a No.8/No.10, which did not suit his best attributes.
Following a fallout with Bulut during the summer of 2024, Wintle joined Millwall on loan, marking his second loan spell away from the club.
He made just three league starts at The Den and struggled to force his way into a side pushing for the play-offs.
Meanwhile, Cardiff endured another disastrous Championship campaign, and after a season that saw Bulut, Ömer Riza and Aaron Ramsey all take charge, the Bluebirds were relegated to League One after finishing bottom of the division.
Many expected Wintle’s Cardiff career to be over.
Heading into City’s first season in the third tier since 2002/03, the midfielder was in the final year of his contract.
However, new manager Brian Barry-Murphy identified him as the perfect suitor to anchor his possession-based system, and after an impressive pre-season, Wintle re-established himself as Cardiff’s first choice No.6.
He repaid the Irishman’s belief and some with arguably his finest season of his Bluebirds career.
Wintle made 40 League One appearances, scored a stunning long-range goal against Plymouth and provided seven assists, the joint-second most in the squad, as Cardiff secured an immediate return to the second tier.
His outstanding performances earned him both the club’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards.
Wintle’s departure leaves a significant void at the heart of Cardiff’s midfield.
As things stand, Barry-Murphy’s only natural No.6 option heading into the summer is Eli King. The 23-year-old was fresh from a flawless pre-season before an ACL injury cruelly ruled him out for the entire campaign.
In recent days, Cardiff have also been linked with Charlie Savage, with the Bluebirds long-term admirers of the Reading midfielder. Wintle’s departure could make a move now even more likely.
There is no doubt Cardiff are losing a hugely important player. Wintle was central to Barry-Murphy’s system, dictating the tempo, shielding the back four and providing the platform for the creative players ahead to shine.
The news of his exit comes just a day after fellow out-of-contract teammate Perry Ng signed a new two-year deal to remain with the Bluebirds.
Like Wintle, Joel Bagan is also out of contract this summer, with attention now turning to whether the academy graduate follows Ng in extending his stay or joins Wintle in departing the Welsh capital.
For a player whose Cardiff career was anything but straightforward, Wintle leaves on a high and with the admiration of the supporters.
After years of debate over just how underrated he was, and with fans eventually creating a song in his honour, he departs as a promotion-winning Player of the Season.
Not many player get the chance to end their Cardiff careers on such a high.
As the Bluebirds continue to prepare for life back in the Championship, they may now discover just how difficult Ryan Wintle will be to replace.
