Bellamy 'thrilled' with Cardiff loan

Manchester City outcast Craig Bellamy admits he is "thrilled" to have secured a season-long loan deal with Cardiff, saying: "I'm coming home."

The 31-year-old Wales international has agreed to drop down a division and sign for his hometown club after being frozen out at Eastlands by manager Roberto Mancini.
Tottenham, Sunderland and Fulham were linked with Bellamy but City did not want the striker joining one of their Premier League rivals.
Bellamy insisted there were no hard feelings about his departure from City and he moved to Cardiff to "come home".
Bellamy told today's press conference: "Nothing's difficult about this. I had the greatest time at Manchester City at a great period in their history.
"I was bought to take the club on to the next stage and I feel I played a big part in doing that. The players they're signing are incredible.
"The next couple of years I'm sure they'll get the Premier League title, and I hope they do."
Bellamy refused to comment on reports City would not allow him to join a rival Premier League club but praised manager Roberto Mancini.
"There's no ill feeling," added the 31-year-old. "I hope he does well, he's a top manager."
Bellamy explained the chance to spend more time with his family was his primary motivation for joining Cardiff, and he does not expect to have it easy in the second tier.
"My wife and kids live here and I've spent the last six years travelling up and down the road," he said. "I left home at 15. I've always wanted to come back but I wanted to come back at the top of my game.
"I've come down to the Championship willing to put my neck on the line. It's probably the hardest football decision I'll have to make in my career.
"I grew up in this league and it's tough, and that gives me excitement as well. It's a great challenge for me."
Bellamy continued: "With the players we have I think we've got to be looking at promotion.
"I've been in the Premier League for 10 years now and probably now I'm at the height of my career.
"I feel in great condition but the next couple of weeks is going to be difficult - but that would have been the case wherever I'd gone.
"I don't mind dipping into the Championship for a year but hopefully I want to bring this club back to the Premier League. I've always watched Cardiff, whenever I've had an opportunity.
"I have been able to train here and Cardiff have always kept the door available to me - I know the set-up so it's just a very happy time for me."
The Bluebirds missed out on promotion to the top flight of English football when they were beaten by Blackpool in May's Championship play-off final.
And Bellamy continued at the press conference, televised by Sky Sports News: "It will be big for south Wales if we get back to the Premier League. Even if Swansea got up it would be great for us in this country. Young kids would get the chance to see great players."
He joked: "Dave (manager, Jones) being here...it will be nice to come home without him being at my doorstep. That will be a relief. I'll get to see him every day now."
Bellamy earlier had announced his joy at completing the move, saying: "I'm thrilled to be coming back home to Cardiff and am excited at the prospect of wearing the shirt and playing for the club I've supported since I was a boy.
"I'll be working hard with my new team-mates to bring success to the club and look forward to our next Championship game on Saturday.
"I'm sure that all City fans will play their part in driving us forward this year.
"It has been my dream to play my part in taking my hometown club to the Premier League, which would be fantastic for the football club, the city of Cardiff and Wales."
Bluebirds boss Jones said: "Bringing Craig to Cardiff is another big step in the development of this football club and I am delighted that he has agreed to join us on a season-long loan.
"Like recent additions Jason Koumas and Seyi Olofinjana, Craig is a great talent and adds to the quality players that we have here.
"We will continue to work on taking the next steps as a club and hope that all Cardiff City supporters join us in welcoming Craig by turning up in high numbers this season."
Mancini did not rule out the possibility of Bellamy playing for him again.
"I am happy for him. I hope that for him it will be a good season," said Mancini.
"It's his choice. but I hope for him it will be a fantastic season in Cardiff, it's his home.
"I think it's a good choice for him, his family is there."
Asked if Bellamy might have a future at Eastlands after his loan spell in Wales, Mancini added: "I don't know, in football anything can happen."