Ethan Horvath: Goalkeeper eyes hat-trick of promotions at Cardiff City
Last updated on .From the section Cardiff
The Wales connection played a big part in the career of new Cardiff City goalkeeper Evan Horvath - even before he arrived in the capital last month..
The USA international has won consecutive Championship promotions, first with Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest and then under another Welsh boss, Rob Edwards, at Luton Town.
And his big break in European football came through former Cardiff boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, then at Norwegian club Molde.
"That's something I'll always have to be thankful for because that was my first opportunity in European football," Horvath said.
Though Solskjaer did not have a role in his move to Cardiff from Forest last month, Horvath knows the importance of the legendary former Manchester United striker bringing him to Europe.
"My first experience with him was unbelievable, he's an amazing guy, a top coach and a top person," he said.
"I played Europa League with him at Molde which was a nice experience, we played some good teams and had a really successful run there. Those are memories I'll always have to look back on with him."
Horvath achieved a league and cup double with Molde, before heading to Club Brugge, where he claimed three Pro League titles and a Belgium Cup.
At Forest, he made a substitute appearance in the Championship play-off final victory over Huddersfield in 2022.
Then last season he made 44 league appearances on loan at Luton, who reached the Premier League thanks to a thrilling 6-5 shootout win over Coventry City in the play-off final.
Horvath said: "If I get a third [promotion], maybe I will have to retire.
"When I first went to Luton I don't think any of what happened was in our wildest dreams. It was a World Cup year and I wanted to give myself the best opportunity to be in the World Cup squad.
"There was an opportunity to go there and play 50-plus games. I don't think any of us in our wildest dreams could have imagined what happened at Luton. It did - it happened. It's probably one of the greatest achievements in my career."
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As Edwards, Horvath said: "He's a good guy, young manager and energetic. He has similarities with Ole and Steve Cooper - young managers wanting to be part of it all."
Despite showing early season promise, Cardiff will not be in promotion contention this season.
Instead, after Tuesday's goalless draw with Blackburn, they are looking over their shoulders, with a nine-point gap to the bottom three.
On Saturday they host Stoke, who had Horvath on their books when he was a teenager, with the Potters in 19th place, six points adrift of the Bluebirds.
"I don't think we're in a relegation battle, that hasn't even crossed my mind," Horvath said.
"I know Stoke has changed manager and style from the last time I played them and probably from the last time Cardiff played them. We'll do all of our analysis but I'm pretty sure we can expect a similar game on Saturday to what it was on Tuesday.
"If we get the three points that's a step in the right direction. My mind's not even on relegation. You know how this league goes, if you get one win you can jump five spots."
Horvath has made three league appearances for Cardiff to date, in the absence of the injured Jak Alnwick.
Having been part of the USA squad who faced Wales in the World Cup finals in Qatar, nine-cap Horvath is keen to add to his international experience.
The USA have a Concacaf Nations League game against Jamaica in March before featuring in the Copa America in the summer.
But he will also be looking to cement his Cardiff place, hoping he can help achieve another Welsh success and add to his formidable Championship record next season.
Horvath said: "When I first went to Luton, for myself, thoughts about promotion were not there. It was about minutes. What happened, happened, and I'm happy that they're in the Premier League.
"Coming here, I don't see why not, I see a lot of quality in the players. There's a project in place so hopefully we can have a very strong finish to the season and let's see what happens in the summer. I don't see why we can't make a push for the top six."
