Bellamy retires

Good luck to Craig Bellamy who has announced his retirement after a 17-year football career.

 

The announcement was expected so no great surprise amid reports that Cardiff City manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was hoping he would commit to another season. He sighted the physical demands as the major reason for his retirement. The 34-year-old, will now spent the next year or so finishing off his coaching badges and spending his time visiting club to watch and learn.

"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," said Bellamy.  

"Usually, whenever I went into a new season I set myself a specific challenge. For last couple of years, that challenge was just to be able to get out there on the pitch and be able to play. 

"The time has come to stand aside and say enough."

Along with the offer of another season at the Cardiff City stadium, he received a number of offers from English clubs, as well as Europe and the MLS in the states.

 

Bellamy has played league football for Norwich, Coventry, Newcastle, Celtic, Blackburn, Liverpool, West Ham Manchester City, and Cardiff City plus loan spells with two of the clubs he went on to sign for Celtic and Cardiff City. Internationally he played for Wales under 21’s, the full national team, and Great Britain in the (London) Olympic Games.