MANCHESTER CITY bad boy Craig Bellamy has joined Cardiff City on a season-long loan, spurning the advances of Everton who had tried to pull together the money to attract the Welsh striker to Goodison Park.

Bellamy’s move was agreed the clubs this morning, and sees the forward also shun the hopes of Tottenham, Fulham and Sunderland, all of whom were understood to be keen to sign the player.

It is understood that City were not keen to allow the striker move to one of their Premier League rivals, particularly Spurs who are likely to be one of City’s main rivals for a top-four finish this season.

News of the move broke first by Twitter, with Cardiff forward Jay Bothroyd – likely to be Bellamy’s main strike partner for the year – tweeting:

Bellamy signed….!!!!! It’s real

The surprise move follows rumours that Bellamy was considered quitting the game entirely after being told by City boss Roberto Mancini that he would not be likely to figure in the Citizens’ 25-man Premier League squad.

The striker’s relationship turned sour afterward, with Bellamy reportedly banned from City’s training ground as the manager actively tried to offload the player.

Bellamy is a native Cardiffian, and his wife and two children already lived in the city. He began his youth footballing career just across the English border with Bristol Rovers, however.

The club becomes the ninth Bellamy will have played for in his senior career.