Mark Harris explains why he made the right choice in leaving Cardiff City
The forward is back in the Wales picture after nearly two years away
Mark Harris says he’s relishing the prospect of a return to the capital – but insists his international recall shows he made the right move in leaving Cardiff City.
The 25-year-old left the Bluebirds on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, dropping down a division to join Oxford United.
After a slow start, he’s since gone on to be a roaring success at the Kassam Stadium, playing a pivotal role in helping the U’s win promotion to the Championship last season, netting 19 goals in all competitions.
Harris has continued that red hot scoring form in this campaign, scoring in each of Oxford’s four Championship outings so far, a run that has caught the eye of new Wales boss Craig Bellamy, and helped bring the forward back into the international fold after nearly two years away.
It means he’s poised to return to the Cardiff City Stadium for the first time since making the decision to move on – and it’s a proposition he’s looking forward to.
“It will be great to be back at CCS and hopefully I can get a few minutes or even a start, who knows,” he said ahead of Friday night’s Nations League opener with Turkey. “My confidence is pretty high after a good start to the season with Oxford. We’ve had two good home wins and been a bit unlucky with our two defeats away.
“I am just enjoying my football at the moment.”
Harris did actually have the option of extending his stay with the Bluebirds shortly before he moved on. But after making nearly 100 appearances for the club he says he felt the time was right for a fresh start.
“It was a tough decision to leave Cardiff and I found myself out of the squad when I went to Oxford,” he added. “To get promoted last season, be back in the Championship and playing and to be back in the Welsh squad is great.