Liverpool have today confirmed that Craig Bellamy has completed his transfer to Championship side Cardiff City.

The Wales international had been strongly linked with a move away from Anfield this summer and he has made the decision to return to the club he supported as a young boy growing up in Welsh capital.

Bellamy had previously enjoyed a season-long loan spell with Cardiff back in 2010 when he was still with Manchester City.

Craig Bellamy
Bellamy completes his move to Cardiff from Liverpool [Reuters]

The 33-year-old scored 11 league goals during his one year stint at Cardiff and he had always made it clear that he would like to have another spell with the club.

His opportunities at Liverpool seemed as though they would be limited after the arrival of Fabio Borini, who will compete with Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez for a starting berth.

The Liverpool website confirmed that Bellamy had joined Cardiff on Friday afternoon after one season at Anfield in which he made 27 appearances and scored six league goals.

Bellamy brings to an end an association with Liverpool that saw him spend two spells on Merseyside and win his first ever trophy as he helped the club win the Carling Cup last season.

He will now be hoping he can help Cardiff to push for a promotion spot and join their fellow Welsh side Swansea in the Premier League.

The forward may be coming towards the end of his career but he proved at the Olympics that he is still a threat as he excelled while playing for Team GB.

Cardiff chief executive Alan Whitely revealed to the Liverpool Echo how pleased he was to see Bellamy return.

"I would like to place on record my thanks to a number of key parties that have facilitated Craig's return.

"Firstly to the club's Malaysian investors, Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Dato' Chan Tien Ghee; 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 that we now have. 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 that Liverpool will agree that their loss is this football club's gain and that 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."