Cardiff Rugby are delighted to confirm the signing of Wales international Ioan Lloyd ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
The versatile playmaker will return to his hometown club in the summer, after spells with Bristol Bears and Scarlets, and is the Blue & Blacks first new signing ahead of next season.
He will compete with Callum Sheedy for the number 10 jersey while providing cover across the backline with ability to also play centre, wing and full-back.
Lloyd is relishing the opportunity to pull on the famous blue and black jersey and believes an exciting future is bring built at the Arms Park.
He said: “Cardiff is my childhood club, which I dreamt of playing for growing up.
“My earliest rugby memories are of watching the likes of Ben Blair, Casey Laulala, Paul Tito and Martyn Williams down at Cardiff Arms Park.
“So it’s a massive honour to have the opportunity to join this great club. I think Matt’s philosophy and the style of rugby that Cardiff are playing suits my game, so I am excited to link up with the boys in the summer.”
Lloyd came through the Cardiff pathway before furthering his education at Clifton College where he linked up with Bristol Bears. He burst onto the scene in the Gallagher Premiership as an 18-year-old, becoming the Bears’ youngest-ever player and capping his debut with a try.
After four seasons and 78 appearances in England, Lloyd moved to Scarlets in 2023, where he has continued to impress, amassing 38 appearances and 221 points.
The former Ysgot Glantaf pupil has also earned seven senior caps for Wales, making his debut in the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup.
He is the latest homegrown player to return or sign a new deal at the Arms Park, following the likes of Sheedy, Tom Bowen and Stef Emanuel, who signed last summer, and fellow Glantaf alumni Teddy Williams and Mason Grady, who have extended their contracts in recent weeks.
Matt Sherratt was delighted to secure the services of Lloyd, who he believes will not only suit the playing style of Cardiff but bring versatility and further attacking potential.
He said: “It is an ambition of ours to get as many Cardiff lads in our squad as possible.
“Ioan, having played Dewar Shield with the likes of Teddy Williams, was at the top of that list of Cardiff lads that we wanted to bring home to the Arms Park.
“I was a big admirer of Ioan while he was at Bristol as he approaches the game with a really positive attitude and is the type of player that gets fans off their seats.
“He has now got a good amount of experience under his belt as a ten in the URC and will be a key member of our squad and how we play over the next few years.”