MX23RW : Tuesday, November 26 15:46:52| >> :120:22910:22910:

Cardiff City, Wales star Craig Bellamy retires from football

Cardiff City star Craig Bellamy announces his retirement from football following 17 years in the game.

Cardiff City star Craig Bellamy has announced that his 17-year football career has come to an end as he aims to move into management.

The 34-year-old, who has played for numerous clubs, including Newcastle United, Liverpool and Manchester City, told Wales Online that he could no longer handle the physical demands of playing at the top level.

"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."

Bellamy, who has revealed that he has received offers from a number of English clubs, as well as in the MLS, added: "The time has come to stand aside and say enough."

The Welshman played for 10 clubs during his senior career, which ended with a two-year stint at his boyhood club Cardiff, where he scored in his final game on May 11 in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.

The forward, who represented Team Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games, has revealed that he plans to move into management over the next two years.

ID:156387: cacheID:156387:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2132:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Craig Bellamy of Cardiff City celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Norwich City on February 1, 2014
Read Next:
Solskjaer: 'Bellamy will be given time'
>
Read more about Craig Bellamy Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Ravens
30-23
Chargers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds1695228121632
2Sunderland1695226121432
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1610422191232
4Burnley168621961330
5Middlesbrough1683529191027
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom166821811726
7Watford168262524126
8Millwall166641914524
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City165742020022
11Derby CountyDerby165562020020
12Stoke CityStoke165561920-120
13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea165471414019
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
19Plymouth ArgylePlymouth164571728-1117
20Preston North EndPreston163761624-816
21Cardiff CityCardiff164481524-916
22Hull City163671621-515
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR161871326-1311


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!