Cardiff City are to open transfer negotiations with Australian international defender Tony Vidmar.

Vidmar is available on a free transfer after being told he was no longer wanted at Glasgow Rangers.

The 33-year-old was signed from NAC Breda on a free transfer five years ago and proved to be a valuable player at Ibrox because of his versatility.

"He played over 30 games for Rangers last season, so this would be a big signing for us," Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence told BBC Wales Sport.

"I'm going to meet him and his agent tonight (Wednesday), and we'll see where we go.

"It's a big step down for him, but this is not a normal Second Division club."

Cardiff are also hopeful of completing the signing of midfielder Gareth Whalley from Bradford City by the end of the week.

The 28-year-old was scheduled to visit the Welsh capital on Tuesday for talks with Bluebirds manager Lennie Lawrence.

The former Crewe player was one of 16 released from Valley Parade at the end of last season, and Lawrence sees him as a useful addition to the City squad.

"Gareth is a serious contender to join Cardiff," he said. "We don't have his type of player at Ninian Park.

"He is a left-footed player, who can also do a job in the centre, can pass the ball and has plenty of experience."

Whalley is a free agent and has been in contact with a number of clubs. Lawrence hopes to convince him his future lies with Cardiff.

The Bluebirds will also be joined by a number of youngsters when they begin training on Wednesday.

Lawrence will run the rule over Danny Slatter (Chelsea), Chris Collins (Swindon), Danny Butterfield (Grimsby) and former Wales international Ryan Green (Millwall) during the pre-season.

But one young player who is on his way to Ninian Park is 14-year-old Paul Jones. Bridgend-born Jones is set to move from Bristol City's Academy after the two clubs had struck a deal. Bristol City chairman John Laycock told their official website: "The deal will be staggered over a number of payments, but if Paul achieves all his targets and becomes a first-team regular for Cardiff they will add up to around Ł200,000." Academy director Tony Fawthrop added that Jones' excessive travelling had been a problem, and he was sorry to see the youngster leave the club.