Craig Bellamy signs for Liverpool on two-year deal

Bellamy's contract at City needs to be sorted before any move can take place (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool have confirmed that Craig Bellamy has rejoined the club from Manchester City.

The 32-year-old spent last season on loan at npower Championship side Cardiff after a rift with City boss 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.

Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles tonight handed in a written transfer request, fuelling speculation he was set for a last-gasp move to Chelsea.

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

Chelsea reportedly had a bid rejected for Meireles yesterday but, having seemingly missed out on Tottenham's Luka Modric, they may well have met Liverpool's asking price.

More to follow...