The 40-year-old former Manchester United striker
has agreed a 12-month rolling contract with the
Bluebirds.
Solskjaer, who met his new squad at the club's
training ground on Thursday, joins from Molde,
whom he led to two Norwegian league titles and a
cup win.
"It is a fantastic challenge. Cardiff are ready to take
the next step up. I hope I can help them," said
Solskjaer, who replaces the sacked Malky Mackay.
"I've always dreamt of being a manager in the
Premier League and I'm delighted to get the
opportunity.
"I am really looking forward to convincing the
Cardiff fans that I am the right man to take them
forward.
"I will try to convince the fans with my hard work,
loyalty and my brand of football. I'm a very positive
manager."
Cardiff, who were beaten 2-0 by Premier League
leaders Arsenal on Wednesday, are 17th in the table
and only one point clear of the relegation zone.
Solskjaer's first game in charge will be against
Newcastle in the third round of the FA Cup on
Saturday.
The Norwegian will be given significant funds by
owner Vincent Tan to spend on new signings in the
current transfer window.
He dismissed speculation that he would find it
difficult working for an owner who reportedly
meddled in team affairs during Mackay's reign.
Solskjaer added: "He wants the club to be
successful. I had a good meeting with him.
Communication and dialogue will be key.
"Everything isn't exactly what it seems from the
outside."
The Norwegian will return to Old Trafford on 28
January with his new club 10 days after playing
Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.
"We've got some of the toughest trips in world
football coming up this month. They're games we'll
relish and look forward to."
He rejected reports his former boss at Manchester
United, Sir Alex Ferguson, had told him to turn down
the chance to become Cardiff's third manager in 32
months.
"That is absolute nonsense," said Solskjaer. "He
has wished me the best and given me some good
advice as he always does. I had a good
conversation with him."
Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman insisted the
Norwegian was the club's only target.
He said: "There was only one name in my head
from the very beginning. We're delighted to
welcome Ole.
"I've seen Ole play for many, many years. I like his
style of football and his ideas on the game."
Former Manchester United and Sheffield United
midfielder Mark Dempsey will work as his assistant
- just as he did at Molde.
Solskjaer, who scored the winner in the Champions
League final against Bayern Munich in 1999, made
366 appearances for Manchester United and
scored 126 goals.
He also won six Premier League titles and two FA
Cups during 11 years at Old Trafford from 1996.
After ending his playing career in 2007, Solskjaer
took charge of United's reserve team for two-and-
a-half years before guiding Molde to their first
Norwegian league title in 100 years in 2011.
He successfully led Molde's defence of their title as
his managerial success attracted the attention of
Premier League clubs.
Molde could only finish sixth behind champions
Stromgodset this season, but they did beat
Rosenborg in November to take the Norwegian
Football Cup for the third time in their history.
Solskjaer held talks with Aston Villa owner Randy
Lerner in May 2012 following the sacking of Alex
McLeish, but the man who earned the nickname
"the baby-faced assassin" opted to remain with
Molde because he was reluctant to uproot his wife
Silje and three children from Norway.
He was also a candidate to replace Steve Kean at
Blackburn Rovers in the Championship last season.
Solskjaer becomes the fourth Norwegian to take
charge of an English league club, following Egil
Olsen at Wimbledon in 1999, Stale Solbakken at
Wolves in 2012 and Henning Berg at Blackburn in
2012.
has agreed a 12-month rolling contract with the
Bluebirds.
Solskjaer, who met his new squad at the club's
training ground on Thursday, joins from Molde,
whom he led to two Norwegian league titles and a
cup win.
"It is a fantastic challenge. Cardiff are ready to take
the next step up. I hope I can help them," said
Solskjaer, who replaces the sacked Malky Mackay.
"I've always dreamt of being a manager in the
Premier League and I'm delighted to get the
opportunity.
"I am really looking forward to convincing the
Cardiff fans that I am the right man to take them
forward.
"I will try to convince the fans with my hard work,
loyalty and my brand of football. I'm a very positive
manager."
Cardiff, who were beaten 2-0 by Premier League
leaders Arsenal on Wednesday, are 17th in the table
and only one point clear of the relegation zone.
Solskjaer's first game in charge will be against
Newcastle in the third round of the FA Cup on
Saturday.
The Norwegian will be given significant funds by
owner Vincent Tan to spend on new signings in the
current transfer window.
He dismissed speculation that he would find it
difficult working for an owner who reportedly
meddled in team affairs during Mackay's reign.
Solskjaer added: "He wants the club to be
successful. I had a good meeting with him.
Communication and dialogue will be key.
"Everything isn't exactly what it seems from the
outside."
The Norwegian will return to Old Trafford on 28
January with his new club 10 days after playing
Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.
"We've got some of the toughest trips in world
football coming up this month. They're games we'll
relish and look forward to."
He rejected reports his former boss at Manchester
United, Sir Alex Ferguson, had told him to turn down
the chance to become Cardiff's third manager in 32
months.
"That is absolute nonsense," said Solskjaer. "He
has wished me the best and given me some good
advice as he always does. I had a good
conversation with him."
Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman insisted the
Norwegian was the club's only target.
He said: "There was only one name in my head
from the very beginning. We're delighted to
welcome Ole.
"I've seen Ole play for many, many years. I like his
style of football and his ideas on the game."
Former Manchester United and Sheffield United
midfielder Mark Dempsey will work as his assistant
- just as he did at Molde.
Solskjaer, who scored the winner in the Champions
League final against Bayern Munich in 1999, made
366 appearances for Manchester United and
scored 126 goals.
He also won six Premier League titles and two FA
Cups during 11 years at Old Trafford from 1996.
After ending his playing career in 2007, Solskjaer
took charge of United's reserve team for two-and-
a-half years before guiding Molde to their first
Norwegian league title in 100 years in 2011.
He successfully led Molde's defence of their title as
his managerial success attracted the attention of
Premier League clubs.
Molde could only finish sixth behind champions
Stromgodset this season, but they did beat
Rosenborg in November to take the Norwegian
Football Cup for the third time in their history.
Solskjaer held talks with Aston Villa owner Randy
Lerner in May 2012 following the sacking of Alex
McLeish, but the man who earned the nickname
"the baby-faced assassin" opted to remain with
Molde because he was reluctant to uproot his wife
Silje and three children from Norway.
He was also a candidate to replace Steve Kean at
Blackburn Rovers in the Championship last season.
Solskjaer becomes the fourth Norwegian to take
charge of an English league club, following Egil
Olsen at Wimbledon in 1999, Stale Solbakken at
Wolves in 2012 and Henning Berg at Blackburn in
2012.
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