AARON RAMSEY has been released by Cardiff, paving the way for his shock move to Mexico.
The Wales captain, 34, is – known as Pumas UNAM – after he declined the option of an extra year on his contract.
Ramsey was Bluebirds’ interim boss for the final three Championship games of last season after the Welsh club sacked Omer Riza.
But the midfielder was unable to prevent relegation to League One.
Cardiff are now close to announcing Leicester assistant Brian Barry-Murphy, 46, as their new manager.
The Welsh club said in a statement: “Aaron will leave the Bluebirds this summer.
“The Welsh captain rejoined his childhood club during the summer of 2023, before taking up the role of caretaker manager for the final three games of the 2024/25 campaign. Aaron departs Cardiff City Stadium with our best wishes.”;
Ex-Arsenal and Juventus star Ramsey had an injury-ravaged second spell at the Bluebirds, starting just 15 games in two years.
But the playmaker is keen to keep playing and remains determined to lead Wales at the 2026 World Cup next summer if they qualify.
Craig Bellamy’s men lost 4-3 to Belgium in Brussels on Monday night, leaving them second in Group J heading into the autumn.
Ramsey famously progressed through the ranks at Cardiff before a £5million move to Arsenal in 2008.
He amassed more than 350 appearances for the Gunners, tasting FA Cup glory three times.
Mexico icon Carlos Vela was an Arsenal team-mate of Ramsey for four years.
And in fact the Pumas reportedly tried to persuade 36-year-old Vela to U-turn on his decision to retire this summer.
Universidad Nacional’s interest in Ramsey stepped up last week.
Mexican TV reporter Andres Vaca told the Seleccione2 podcast: “I don’t know if they’re selling me smoke, they just told me that Aaron Ramsey is going to join Pumas.
“They told me it’s almost a confirmation.”;
Now the deal is close to being sealed – despite Ramsey not having played since March.
