Soccer:Craig Bellamy's season-long loan move to Cardiff has been confirmed by Manchester City with the 31-year-old Wales captain set to be unveiled at a press conference in Cardiff this afternoon.
A statement on Manchester City's official website read: "Manchester City can confirm that Craig Bellamy has agreed to join Championship club Cardiff City on a season-long loan.
"He will be officially unveiled in south Wales later today and, subject to Premier League and Football League ratification, will join up with Dave Jones' side in time to make his debut at home to Doncaster Rovers at the weekend."
Bellamy 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 was also a target for former club Celtic, but opted to move closer to his family in south Wales.
The move represents a major coup for Cardiff, who were beaten in last season's Championship play-off final by Blackpool.
The Welsh club have previously signed ageing frontmen Robbie Fowler and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink but Bellamy was playing some of the best football of his career last term.
Bellamy had talked about giving up football altogether having been told by Mancini he does not figure in his plans this term.
Instead he is set to make the Bluebirds the ninth club of a colourful career which has also taken in Liverpool, Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham and racked up around €54million in transfer fees.
Bellamy announced his joy at completing the move as Cardiff confirmed the deal.
He said: "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."