Could Juan Mata join the likes of these ten players in rejoining their former clubs…
Wantaway Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata could join the ranks of those footballers which returned to their former clubs, if his previous employers Valencia are able to see off competition from Juventus for his signature.
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Reports in the Daily Express suggest that United are ready to cash in on the former Chelsea man, who has grown frustrated with his bit-part role at Old Trafford so far this season.
Mata, who played for Valencia between 2007 and 2011, would rank alongside these ten world class players if he were to agree upon a return to Spain in the January transfer window:
10) Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg)
Returned to German club Hamburg after a four-year spell away, which saw him play for both Real Madrid and Tottenham.
9) Steven Pienaar (Everton)
The South African midfielder returned to Goodison Park after less than a year with Tottenham, first on loan, and then in a permanent deal the following summer.
8) Joe Cole (West Ham)
The former England midfielder returned to Upton Park after a ten year spell away, during which he starred for Chelsea, Liverpool and Lille. He has since moved on again, this time to Aston Villa.
7) Robbie Keane (Tottenham)
The Irishman moved from Tottenham to Liverpool in the summer of 2008, but was back at White Hart Lane the following January, remaining there until 2011, when he joined LA Galaxy in the MLS.
6) Claudio Pizarro (Bayern Munich)
The veteran Peruvian striker’s first spell in Munich was between 2001 and 2007, but after a brief stint with Chelsea, his form for Werder Bremen encouraged Bayern to resign him in 2012.
5) Robbie Fowler (Liverpool)
The legendary Liverpool striker left his boyhood club in 2001, playing for Leeds and Man City before being resigned by Rafael Benitez in 2006, and earning the chance to say a proper goodbye.
4) Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
The iconic Chelsea striker won his club the Champions League with his final kick before leaving in 2012, but two years later he was back at Stamford Bridge with Jose Mourinho.
3) Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
The Frenchman’s return may have been short lived, but it certainly went down well in North London. Henry enjoyed a short loan spell from New York Red Bulls in 2012.
2) Kaka (AC Milan)
One of the best midfielders in the club’s history, he became a cult hero during his first spell with the Italian giants, between 2003 and 2009. He returned four years later after leaving Real Madrid.
1) Ian Rush (Liverpool)
The most famous case of a player returning to his former club has to be the Liverpool legend. After a year in Italy with Juventus, Rush returned to Anfield to add another 90 league goals to the 139 he netted during his first spell.
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