Once described by Sir Bobby Robson as "a man who could start a fight in an empty room", controversy has always followed Bellamy around, but he remains highly rated by several managers.

Bellamy's career began with Norwich City, where he broke into the first team in the 1997-98 season, and he was handed his full international debut by Wales in 1998.

Unfashionable Coventry City then surprisingly signed him for £6.5 million at the start of the 2000-01 campaign, but Newcastle United boss Sir Bobby Robson chose to pay £6 million to take him to Newcastle the following year.

After a slow start, Bellamy became one of the buys of the 2001-02 season as a number of pulsating displays propelled the Magpies into the title race, but his Newcastle career was dogged by injury problems, and he fell out with both Robson's successor, Graeme Souness, and club legend Alan Shearer.

In 2005, Celtic came in for Bellamy and signed him on loan for the remainder of the campaign. Upon his return, he joined Blackburn Rovers on a four-year contract, where he reunited with former Wales boss Mark Hughes, got his head down and proved his worth, scoring 17 goals during 2005-06.

His pace and goal-scoring form attracted the attention of Liverpool and, in July 2006, they paid £6.5 million to take him to Anfield. It appeared Bellamy was settling down and maturing at Liverpool but, in February 2007, he allegedly attacked team-mate John Arne Riise with a golf club during a team training session in Portugal. Benitez played down the incident, but come the summer Bellamy was gone as he completed a move to West Ham United for a fee of £7.5 million.

He proved a good purchase for West Ham but, when then Manchester City boss Hughes came in for him in January 2009, he headed to Eastlands in an estimated £14 million deal. Seen as the antithesis of record signing Robinho, his passion and uncompromising nature proved effective, but there have been reports of disagreements with Roberto Mancini and it remains to be seen whether he will stay long-term.

Strengths: A fierce competitor who is capable of delivering at the top level, Bellamy adds verve to the attack as well as riling his opponents.

Weaknesses: He also has a tendency to rile his own team-mates and managers and his career has been defined largely by that provocative nature.

Career high: He has so far only won the Scottish Cup and Community Shield, but Bellamy has enjoyed some fine moments on a personal level, including a brace for Newcastle against Feyenoord in a dramatic 3-2 Champions League win that took them through to the second group stage in the 2002-03 season.

Career low: Too many to mention, but the injury he sustained at the hands of Kevin Muscat while playing for Norwich has dogged him throughout his career.

Style: A huge talent with great determination, Bellamy is a fiery character with a flair for riling up all around him.

Quotes: "I've grown up with Kenny Dalglish; now to be signed by him is a massive honour. This is an exciting time. When Kenny took over, watching as a fan last season I got the buzz as well" - Craig Bellamy, September 2011

Trivia: Bellamy has made major contributions to charity and has set up a football academy in Sierra Leone.