Hasselbaink eyes new Cardiff deal

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is keen to extend his stay with Cardiff beyond the FA Cup final, saying he wants the rest of his career to be at the club.

But the Bluebirds remain tight-lipped about the Dutch striker's future.

Hasselbaink said: "As far as know I don't think the Cup final is going to be my last game for Cardiff City. I'm hoping to sign a new extended contract.

"I would think Cardiff City would be my last club as a professional footballer. You never know, but I would think so."

However, Hasselbaink refused to discuss details of his contractual dealings with the Ninian Park club.

The 36-year-old admits he considered retiring prior to his move to Ninian Park, but says he is enjoyed their tough, if disappointing, Championship season and is relishing the Wembley showdown against Portsmouth.

"I've never considered retiring at the end of this season. I considered it last season when I was at Charlton. I almost retired, but I was convinced not to and didn't," he said.

"The people around me and who know me the best convinced me not to retire. I thought okay, let me play for another year or two.

"My performances have been a little bit up and down. I've had a few bad matches and good ones, but the Championship is not that easy.

"It's a very difficult and hard league and it's been good. It's been very enjoyable.

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Should the Bluebirds keep Hasselbaink for next season?
"I've enjoyed my season at Cardiff City very, very much. We would have expected to do a little bit better in the league, but we have played so many matches in our cup run it just became a little bit too much because we don't have the biggest squad.

"I must say I think we have done tremendously well as a squad and it's been a really nice season."

Hasselbaink said he would have thought manager Dave Jones was crazy had he told the players they would be looking forward to an FA Cup Final at the end of this season.

"My reaction would have been to look at him and stare at him, but I would have thought this man is crazy," he said.

"If he'd have said that - whoever would have said that - I would have thought 'are you taking the mickey or trying to take the mickey out of me?'

"I thought my only FA Cup chance was the one I had in 2002. Come on, (no-one) thought Cardiff would get in the final and we did it in a beautiful way.

"We've done it in style and hopefully we can finish in style."

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