Craig Bellamy retires from football

Craig Bellamy

Cardiff City forward Craig Bellamy has announced his retirement from football after playing for 17 years.

Bellamy started off his career with Norwich City and spent four years with the club before making moves to Coventry City, Newcastle, Blackburn, Liverpool, West Ham, Manchester City and finishing his final season with Welsh side Cardiff City. Bellamy also played for Celtic as a loanee from Newcastle for 4 months after a bust up with then Newcastle manager Graeme Souness.

Bellamy said, "It's been on my mind to finish playing for the last couple of years, but this time I've had to make a decision. I've had to listen to my body.

"I guess over the years I've become accustomed to the pain from various injuries, but for the last three to four years I've been on anti-inflammatories every day. I'm not sure my body will think that's a wise thing in due course, but it kept me playing for that period.

"However, the time has come to stand aside and say enough. My body can't take any more.

"When Cardiff got promoted, it was the sense of achievement with my home-town club that meant most to me, rather than being able to play another season in the Premier League.

"I had performed at that level for 12 years anyway. The goal of getting Cardiff up there meant more to me than actually playing there again myself.

"But I spoke to Malky Mackay and he talked me around for one last challenge. I wasn't sure I could offer too much."

Bellamy has won League Cup and Community Shield in his two spells at Anfield, and helped Cardiff City to get them back in the Premier League. Bellamy also played for the Great Britan in the 2012 London Olympics along with Ryan Giggs, Tom Cleverley and Daniel Sturridge.