By Chris O'Brien
April 9 2005

Tony Vidmar has signed for Dutch outfit NAC Breda on a free transfer. The 34-year-old has spent two seasons at Ninian Park but has found first-team football hard to come by in recent months with James Collins and Daniel Gabbidon dominating the defensive ranks.

With most foreseeing a summer ahead that will see the Cardiff City squad slashed dramatically, the Bluebirds have lost one of their most experienced defenders. Dutch outfit NAC Breda have confirmed that Tony Vidmar will return to the Netherlands for next season having spent two rather unspectacular seasons at Ninian Park. The transfer will be officially finalised pending a medical on April 13th.

Vidmar spent two years at Breda between 1995 and 1997 before enjoying a five-year stint at Glasgow Ranger which was then followed by a season at Middlesbrough. During his time in Holland, Vidmar played alongside current manager Ton Lokhoff who has jumped at the chance of signing the veteran on a free transfer.

The 34-year-old has been expected to leave Ninian Park for some time having struggled to break the formidable defensive partnership of James Collins and Daniel Gabbidon. Vidmar was linked with a move to Borussia Monchengladbach and Championship promotion chasers Sunderland, but the Australian international will now move to Holland where he is likely to finish his playing career.

Vidmar has given good service to the Bluebirds in two Championship seasons, but has not had the huge impact many expected when the defender joined from Middlesbrough. Robert Page recently departed for Coventry City which leaves the Bluebirds short in the backline, and with Gabbidon and Collins expected to head through the exit door during the summer clearout, Lennie Lawrence may need to find himself a whole new defence for next season.