Bellamy heads back to Wales as striker lands two-year Cardiff return deal

Craig Bellamy has rejoined home-town club Cardiff, signing a two-year contract with the Bluebirds.
Striker Bellamy scored 11 goals in 36 appearances during a season-long loan at Cardiff from Manchester City in 2010-11, helping City reach the npower Championship play-off semi-finals where they lost out to Reading.
Bellamy returned to Liverpool last season but made no secret of his desire to be closer to his family as he approaches the end of his career.

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Now 33, Bellamy has enjoyed a long, varied - and occasionally controversial - career that has seen him at Norwich, Coventry, Newcastle, Celtic, Blackburn and West Ham, as well as Manchester City and two spells with Liverpool.

It is at Cardiff, though, where Bellamy particularly revelled, resulting in manager Malky Mackay's pursuit this summer of the Wales international.
Initially hailing the influence of Cardiff's Malaysian owners as pivotal, chief executive Alan Whiteley said: 'Their support, commitment and confidence in the vision and ambition of the club has enabled us to attract and retain a squad containing the calibre of players we now have.

Talking point: Bellamy had a successful loan stint at Cardiff in 2010

Moving on: Bellamy enjoyed two stints at Anfield

'This, quite clearly, is demonstrated by Craig's confidence in joining us at this time.

'I would also like to thank our manager for his tenacity and single-mindedness in ensuring the transfer could take place - and for making my life a misery until such time as it could be completed.

'And of course to Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool Football Club - their assistance and support during the process of negotiations have been conducted in an extremely professional and amicable manner, of which we are grateful.

'Finally to Craig, for having the confidence and courage to buy into and wanting to be a part of the club's future.

'I am sure Liverpool will agree their loss is this club's gain and Craig's return will be met with huge excitement and enthusiasm by all Cardiff City fans - and as the perfect backdrop to the start of the new season.'

Bellamy can now expect to figure in Cardiff's league opener at home to newly-promoted Huddersfield next Friday.