Cardiff City have re-signed Craig Bellamy on a free transfer from Liverpool, the Wales international penning a two-year contract.
The Cardiff-born forward, who scored 11 goals in a loan spell at the club from Manchester City in 2010-11, will wear the number 39 shirt.
He said his main motivation for joining the Bluebirds was to be able to live at home with his family in Cardiff.
“I wanted to wake up every day with my kids,” said 33-year-old Bellamy, who has taken a significant cut in wages. “There's more to life than football.”
Cardiff chief executive Alan Whiteley added: “I’m sure Liverpool will agree their loss is this club's gain.”
Rumours of Bellamy's return were fuelled this week when Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed he had given the Welshman permission to move closer to his family in South Wales.
Bellamy played and scored for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games this summer and his talents are well known to Cardiff manager Malky MacKay.
“We've known each other our whole careers,” said MacKay. “We were together a long time ago at Norwich City. He's a proud lad from the area and he's a top player, a top talent.”
Bellamy is expected to make his debut for Cardiff in their Championship opener against Huddersfield Town on Friday, August 17.
Cardiff, who have changed their club kit from blue to red this season to be ‘more Welsh’, are a best-priced 12/1 with
Paddy Power to win the 2012-13 Championship title and 4/1 to be promoted.
