Liverpool bring Bellamy back to Anfield

liverpool last night re-signed former striker Craig Bellamy from Manchester City.

The 32-year-old spent last season on loan at npower Championship side Cardiff after a rift with City manager Roberto Mancini saw him excluded from the first-team squad.

City have been desperate to offload Bellamy but, with a year left on his contract, there were financial issues to sort out before Liverpool could complete a deal. In a brief statement the club said: “Liverpool have tonight announced Craig Bellamy has signed a contract with the club.

“He will wear shirt number 39.”

Bellamy’s return to Anfield comes four years after he left having been brought to the club 12 months earlier by Rafael Benitez.

He scored nine goals in 42 matches but off-field issues, most notably an infamous incident with a golf club and team-mate John Arne Riise and a strained relationship with Benitez, contributed to his departure to West Ham.

Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles left Anfield to sign for Chelsea on a four-year-deal after dramatically handing in a written transfer request late last night.

In an echo of Fernando Torres’ January switch to Stamford Bridge, Meireles declared his desire to leave Anfield with the transfer window drawing to a close.