Cardiff City have announced the signing of striker Chanka Zimba after his release by Rovers.

Zimba was the only second scholar to leave Rovers in the summer, with Mike Sheron’s squad rewarded for their progress in the FA Youth Cup, reaching the semi-finals, with the offer of professional contracts.

The teenager had spent time on trial with the Bluebirds and has now joined Steve Morison’s Under-23s side, though the length of his contract hasn’t been revealed.

Zimba had previously spent time training with Sunderland earlier in the year after Rovers made clear their plans that he wouldn’t be retained beyond his scholarship.

Rovers had been in the market for a striker to add to their youth ranks ever since the departure of Joe Nuttall, who this week signed for Northampton Town on a season-long loan after a difficult time of it at Blackpool since his six-figure switch last summer.

Connor McBride joined from Celtic and is expected to lead the line for Rovers Under-23s in their Premier League 2 campaign in 2020/21, which will allow Jack Vale and Dan Butterworth the option to push towards the first-team set-up, with Tony Mowbray not expected to bring in a new striker in this transfer window, despite the departures of Danny Graham and Dominic Samuel.

Sam Burns’ fine form in the Youth Cup earned him a one-year professional contract, while fellow attacker Luke Brennan signed on for two years.

Central defender Flavien Enzo Boyomo had been offered a contract by Rovers, but won’t be returning to the club, despite a move to a French club falling through.

Zimba will be part of Cardiff’s Category Two Academy side, having failed to break in to the Rovers Under-23s set-up, making just one substitute appearance during his time at the club.

Progressing through the youth ranks though the Zambian-born forward was regularly among the goals, and left after scoring 13 times in 38 Under-18s Premier League appearances.

He started the FA Youth Cup third round tie against Newport, and came off the bench in the fourth round success against Charlton, but didn’t feature in the next three rounds as Rovers booked their place in the semi-final where they were scheduled to play Manchester City in March.

That is still scheduled to take place, with the Football Association hopeful of concluding the 2019/20 competition in the coming weeks.

Rovers Under-18s have played three friendlies in pre-season, beating Huddersfield Town 3-1 as well as drawing 1-1 with Rochdale and 4-4 with Fleetwood Town.

Charley Doyle, released in the summer, signed for Stalybridge Celtic after his release by Rovers having been a regular for Rovers Under-23s in recent seasons.