Hasselbaink to bow out at Wembley

May 6 2008 by Terry Phillips, Western Mail

DUTCH star Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink is set to bring down the curtain on his 18-year career at Wembley.

Veteran Hasselbaink has helped Cardiff City to a shock FA Cup final appearance – but the Wembley outing against Portsmouth will be his last game for the Bluebirds.

And Hasselbaink could well decide that is also the occasion to call time on a glorious career which stretches back nearly two decades.

The 36-year-old former Dutch international did not want to end on a bad note after a “terrible” season with Charlton in 2006-07 and jumped at the chance to sign for City, agreeing a one-year contract with an extra year which could be triggered by the club.

But Bluebirds manager Dave Jones will not take up that option, believing a fit Robbie Fowler has a 20-plus goals season in him next term after he has come through a full pre-season programme.

The former Chelsea and Leeds striker won’t be drawn on the subject of his future now, preferring to focus on the May 17 cup final.

“Thoughts on my future are for the summer – and not before,” he said.”

But Jones has decided he can not accommodate both men, so Hasselbaink will leave Ninian Park after the FA Cup final, having scored nine goals in 39 appearances to date.