The Wales midfielder is set to start a new chapter away from the Welsh capital
Former Cardiff City interim boss Aaron Ramsey(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
Aaron Ramsey is expected to fly to Mexico this weekend to complete a move to Liga MX side Pumas UNAM, as the Wales captain seeks to keep his 2026 World Cup dream alive.
The 34-year-old is set to sign a one-year deal with the Mexican club following his release from Cardiff City earlier this month. Ramsey’s contract expires next week, with the player having decided not to exercise a one-year trigger to his playing deal — a decision that came after protracted and advanced discussions about him potentially becoming the club’s new permanent manager.
Ramsey took charge of Cardiff’s final three games of the 2024/25 Championship campaign in an interim role following the sacking of Omer Riza. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community
Despite discussions over being handed the job permanently, that never materialised. Then a bombshell report emerged that he would quit the Welsh capital in favour of a move to the Mexican city, a story which really took supporters by surprise.
Cardiff, subsequently, then moved to appoint former Manchester City EDS and Rochdale boss Brian Barry-Murphy as their new head coach.
Since his release, Ramsey has not issued any public statement or farewell message to Cardiff supporters via his social media channels, a radio silence that has not gone unnoticed by fans still reeling from his abrupt departure.
Ramsey has largely used his social media profile for personal posts and to promote his fledgling new vodka business Tens, which he has launched with chef Tom Simmons in a side-business venture.
Other players who left the club have all posted on their own social media channels, including Jamilu Collins who was frozen out for more than half a season and Yakou Meite, who at times had a fractured relationship with the supporter base.
A return to boyhood club Cardiff had been seen as a sentimental final chapter in his playing career, but after an injury-ravaged two years, Ramsey’s latest spell in the Welsh capital saw so much excitement left unfulfilled.
Nevertheless, Ramsey appears determined to continue playing at a high level in a bid to lead Wales to the World Cup in North America next summer, despite not having played for his country since last September.
With Mexico one of the host nations for the 2026 tournament — alongside the USA and Canada — a move to Pumas signals the midfielder’s intent to be visible and gain match sharpness ahead of what is likely to be his final major international tournament, should Wales qualify.
The Sun report that Ramsey will jet out to Mexico City this weekend to complete the move.
The team’s manager, Efrain Juarez, has the same agent as the Wales legend. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
Ramsey, who has earned 86 caps for Wales, will now look to impress Wales boss Craig Bellamy in order to earn his place back in the starting lineup for the upcoming qualification matches.
They next play Kazakhstan in a World Cup qualifier and Canada in a friendly during the September international break.