Laurent looks for Cardiff deal

Laurent: Aiming to impress

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French striker Francis Laurent is hoping to agree a deal at Cardiff after scoring a hat-trick during a trial match.

A Cardiff reserve side beat Llanelli 5-0 in a private friendly at the Bluebirds' Vale of Glamorgan training ground, with Gavin Rae scoring the other two goals.

Laurent is a free agent after being granted a release by Southend in July and the 24-year-old almost signed for Coventry after a successful trial but the two parties failed to agree personal terms.

Ex-Middlesbrough defender Chris Riggott also played against Llanelli and as both he and Laurent are free agents, Cardiff can sign them outside the transfer window.

"I enjoyed playing and I would love to stay with Cardiff City longer," Laurent told the South Wales Echo.

Jones praise

"It felt good to score a hat-trick in a trial match and the manager (Dave Jones) said I am a good player.

"My reason for leaving Southend United was that I am keen to play at a higher level and Cardiff City are a big, ambitious club. Of course, I would jump at the chance of joining them.

"But they have such a fantastic squad and I will have to wait and see how things turn out. I haven't been offered anything, but I hope the manager is still thinking things over.

"I felt I took my chance well with a hat-trick. If it is not possible for me to join Cardiff City, then hopefully another team will take notice."

Laurent started out at Sochuax before moving to Germany in 2006 and playing for Eintracht Trier and Mainz.

Dream

The Paris-born striker signed for Southend in 2008 and went on to score 10 goals in 62 appearances for the Shrimpers before they were relegated from League One last season.

"It was always my dream to come and play in England and Southend made that possible for me," Laurent added.

"It was a hard decision to leave but I think I have the quality to play higher than League Two and that was the main reason in leaving Southend. Coventry wanted to sign me, but that didn't work out."