Cardiff have called a press conference for 3pm where they will confirm the season-long loan signing of Craig Bellamy from Manchester City.

The 31-year-old Wales international has 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.

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 has made the Bluebirds the ninth club of a colourful career which has also taken in Liverpool, Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham and racked up around £45million in transfer fees.

Bellamy could make his Cardiff debut against Doncaster at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday.