Over a decade on from leaving Cardiff City, Michael Chopra is a Bluebird once more.The 42-year-old has come out of retirement to sign for Cymru South outfit Trethomas Bluebirds.Chopra is ready to give professional football one final crackAFP“A player who needs no introduction joins the Bluebirds, bringing a wealth of experience, quality and winning mentality to the club,” a Bluebirds statement read.“Once a Bluebird. Always a Bluebird.”Chopra the BluebirdChopra is fondly remembered by Cardiff supporters following a 159-game stint for the club.He first joined in 2006 from Newcastle and slammed home 22 goals in 44 Championship games, prompting Sunderland to sign him after just one season in Wales.However, Chopra endured an ill-fated spell at the Stadium of Light and was back at Cardiff in February 2009 on loan before returning permanently that summer.In total, Chopra scored 63 goals for the Bluebirds and registered 28 assists.He was named the club’s Player of the Year for 2006/07 and earned inclusions in the PFA Championship Team of the Year in 2006/07 and 2009/10.How second tier Welsh club lured Chopra out of retirementSpeaking to local publication Caerphilly Observer, Chopra explained the surprise deal came about thanks to the hard work of club chairman Dave Evans.Chopra was put in touch with Evans by former Cardiff defender Derek Brazil and from there, the duo ‘hit it off instantly’.After Evans asked Chopra about becoming an ambassador for the club, the conversation took a twist.Chopra is dusting off the boots at the ripe age of 42Getty“Anyway, I spoke to Dave again shortly after and this time he asked why don’t I play a few games instead,” Chopra said.“I just started laughing honestly, I haven’t kicked a ball in more than four years.“I gave it some thought and said, ‘Yeah, why not.'”Chopra added he won’t be available for every game due to the fact he lives in Amsterdam and doesn’t want Bluebirds boss Mark Dunford to ‘feel like he has to play me’.“It’ll be a great opportunity for the club to use my name and get more people involved,” Chopra said.“It’s really exciting; feels like fate that I’m back as a Bluebird again.”The 2026/27 Cymru South season begins with the opening weekend across July 31 to August 2, with the regular season to wrap up by April 17.