Heidar Helguson boosts Malky Mackay's striking options

Heidar Helguson

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay believes new striker Heidar Helguson will help his squad by putting pressure on the other forwards at the club.

Iceland international Helguson, who signed a one-year deal with the Bluebirds on Thursday, is one of five strikers at Cardiff City Stadium.

He joins Joe Mason, Robert Earnshaw, Rudy Gestede and fellow new signing Etien Velikonja.

"We need to have competition for places," said Mackay.

"You need the players to be on their toes because they know someone is ready to come in and take their place."

Helguson, 34, top scored with nine goals for QPR last season to help the London side narrowly avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Iceland international striker spent time on loan at Watford during the 2009-10 season, when Cardiff boss Malky Mackay was in charge at Vicarage Road.

And Mackay said he was delighted to sign the forward for a second time.

"He's [Helguson] a very experienced player," added Mackay, who has also signed Joe Lewis, Jordon Mutch, and Kim Bo-Kyung this summer.

"There's an experience to him and professionalism to him that I know very well, and I think he will be a great addition to our group.

"He's very robust, a very good professional, brings high standards with him and certainly has an eye for goal.

"These are all qualities that attracted me to him."

Meanwhile, Mackay again refused to be drawn on speculation that yet another striker will sign for Cardiff this summer.

Craig Bellamy, who spent a season on loan at Cardiff in 2010-11, has been linked with a return to his hometown team, but Mackay would not comment on rumours of a move for the Liverpool frontman.

"I don't talk about players at other clubs," Mackay said.