LONDON: Former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy has announced his retirement.
Bellamy, who had been playing for his hometown club Cardiff City for the last two seasons, decided to hang up his boots after coming to the conclusion that his body “couldn’t take it any more”.
The 34-year-old Wales international couldn’t stop Cardiff being relegated to the Championship and that was the signal to call a halt to a successful 17-year career which also included spells at Celtic, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers and Coventry City.
Bellamy fulfilled his childhood dream of helping Cardiff win promotion to the Premier League in 2013, ending the south Wales club’s 51-year absence from the top-flight.
But he had been contemplating retirement for several seasons and finally felt the strain on his aching limbs was too great to continue.
In an interview given to Wales Online he said: “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. I guess over the years I’ve become accustomed to the pain from various injuries, but for the last three to four years I’ve been on anti-inflammatories every day.”
He explained: I’m not sure my body will think that’s a wise thing in due course, but it kept me playing for that period. However, the time has come to stand aside and say enough. My body can’t take any more.” REUTERS
