Robbie Fowler is determined to play a major role in Cardiff City’s ambitious bid to win promotion to the Premier League after agreeing a two-year deal with the Welsh side.

The 32-year-old former Liverpool and England striker was unveiled as Cardiff’s latest summer signing today.

He could make his debut against Dutch side Twente Enschede in a Ninian Park friendly on Saturday week. Cardiff launch their Championship campaign against Stoke City seven days later.

Peter Ridsdale, the Cardiff chairman, hailed Fowler’s arrival in South Wales as “a major signing” for the club.

Fowler also attracted significant interest from Leicester and Australian side Sydney FC, but he chose Cardiff following detailed discussions with Ridsdale and City manager Dave Jones.

“I am delighted with the way things have turned out," Fowler said. “A few clubs came in, but a lot of people have said to me would I rather play with a team fighting relegation from the Premiership or a promotion-chasing team from the Championship. To me, it was a no-brainer.

“I have got a few good years left playing football. Hopefully, I can help everyone around Cardiff to get out of this division. I just want to play football, that’s it."

Fowler follows Trevor Sinclair, Gavin Rae, Steven MacLean, Tony Capaldi and Michael Oakes as new arrivals to Ninian Park but his impact was instant with around 50 Bluebirds fans greeting his arrival for a 9am press conference.

Ridsdale added: “We have once again demonstrated to the doubters who thought we would never get a new stadium built or never put a team together, and I am delighted.

“It is a major signing for this football club and demonstrates how other people see the ambition of this club and to take it from the Championship to the Premiership. We go into the new season with renewed optimism.”

Fowler is reunited with Ridsdale, who was in charge at Leeds United when he signed from Liverpool for £11million almost six years ago.

“Personally I am delighted I can reacquaint my football career with one of the best strikers this country has ever seen," added Ridsdale. “I am delighted Robbie feels it is the right place to pursue the next couple of years of his career.”

A chance meeting between Jones, the City boss, and Fowler in a restaurant in America set the ball rolling on a possible move to Ninian Park.

Jones said: “There is a buzz around the place. I don’t think the fans believed it was going to happen, but it shows our ambition. Robbie is coming here to work his socks off, which everyone else at this football club does.”