Cardiff City striker Robert Earnshaw has joined Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv on a season-long loan deal.

The Wales international rejoined the Bluebirds in 2011 after spells with five different clubs, most notably Norwich City and Nottingham Forest.

Just three goals since returning to his boyhood club, and the arrivals of Heidar Helguson, Craig Bellamy and Nicky Maynard have left him surplus to requirements at Cardiff, and Tel Aviv have swooped to snap up the 31-year-old.

Maccabi sports director, former Manchester United forward, Jordi Cruyff said: "I am delighted with this latest addition.

"The last day of the transfer window always gives pleasant surprises and this is one of them. His goalscoring record speaks in itself."

Earnshaw has scored hat-tricks in every professional English division, as well as at international level.