Former loan keeper Tom Heaton has joined Cardiff City on a permanent basis following the expiry of his contract at Manchester United.

Heaton's time at Spotland was a very successful one, where he impressed all Dale supporters during his three month loan spell. He played a total of twelve games for the club, conceding just eleven goals, and was a vital member of the squad that forced its way to the top of the league.

However, he was forced to return to Old Trafford as he reached the maximum amount of time that a player is allowed to spend on a short term loan.

There had been hope in certain quarters that he could have made a return to Rochdale, but unfortunately for us, his performances at Dale, and other loan spells at Wycombe and QPR made him hot property, and today he joined Cardiff.

He had spent six months at Cardiff during the 2008-9 season on loan.

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