PAST PLAYER PROFILE - Craig Bellamy

Craig Bellamy
Date of Birth: 13/07/1979
Birthplace: Cardiff
Debut: 9th August 2006 v Maccabi Haifa (H): Champions League qualifier. Won 2-1
1st team games: 42
1st team goals: 9
International caps while with Liverpool: 11
International goals while with Liverpool: 4
Other clubs: Norwich City, Coventry City, Newcastle United, Celtic loan, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United.
Honours with Liverpool: Community Shield 2006.

PROFILE

Boyhood Liverpool fan Craig Bellamy fulfilled a dream when he left Blackburn Rovers to join the Rafalution at Anfield in July 2006, and followed in the footsteps of the likes of Ian Rush, John Toshack and Dean Saunders as a Welsh international striker at Anfield.

Although his career at Anfield only lasted one season, Bellamy's best Anfield memory was his performance at the Nou Camp when Liverpool beat Barcelona 2-1 in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Welsh international scored the equaliser and then set up John Riise for the winning goal.

A player blessed with great pace, Bellamy scored on his Liverpool debut against Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League qualifier but he never quite hit the heights consistently in a red shirt.

The previous season Bellamy had been in terrific form for Blackburn Rovers and scored 17 goals which prompted Benitez to swoop for his signature.

After springing to prominence at Norwich City then Coventry City it was under Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle that Bellamy flourished into one of the most feared strikers in the Premiership. He was a big hit with the Toon Army, but however, he had a much publicised bust-up with former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness during the Scot's traumatic spell in the hot seat at St James' Park. He scored 43 goals in 128 appearances for Newcastle.

After a loan spell with Celtic he had the chance to join Everton just before the start of the 2005/06 season, but decided against a move following a meeting with Toffees boss David Moyes. He then teamed up with his former international manager Mark Hughes at Blackburn Rovers and proved a big success at Ewood Park before his dream move to Anfield came about.

He signed for West Ham in July 2007.