It’s like club legends just can’t keep away
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With the news that Thierry Henry has left the New York Red Bulls and a possible move back to Arsenal touted, CaughtOffside thought it would take a look at some of the other players who have returned to their former clubs.
Thierry Henry – Arsenal (2012)
What better way to start off than with the man himself. Henry returned to North London for a two month loan in January 2012. The Gunners record goalscorer looked right at home, slotting away a vintage Thierry Henry shot, cutting in from the left against Leeds United in the FA Cup to send the Emirates Stadium into bedlam. Could we see similar scenes in the coming weeks?
Robbie Fowler – Liverpool (2006-7)
Nicknamed ‘God’ by the Anfield faithful, Fowler was brought back to Liverpool by Rafa Benitez scoring 12 goals in his season and a half back on Merseyside.
Mark Hughes – Manchester United (1988-95)
After a spell at FC Barcelona under Terry Venables didn’t work out for the Welshman, Hughes was re-signed at United by Sir Alex Ferguson. The now Stoke City manager was a key part of a Ferguson side that won ten major honours with Hughes as striker.
Jermain Defoe – Tottenham Hotspur (2009-14)
Defoe had a decent first spell at Tottenham before being convinced by Harry Redknapp to join Portsmouth. Defoe followed Redknapp back to Spurs where the striker scored 76 goals in 182 appearances before moving to the MLS this summer.
However, he could be back in the Premier League soon with Redknapp apparently keen to sign Defoe again for QPR.
Sol Campbell – Arsenal (2010)
Campbell rejoined Arsenal after infamously playing just one game for League Two side Notts County.
He helped during a period where their defence was particularly affected by injury (sounds familiar) but played just 11 games and could only help them to a third place finish.
Ian Rush – Liverpool (1988-96)
The Kop legend and Liverpool all time goalscorer Rush returned to Anfield after just one torrid season at Juventus where he managed seven goals.
His return to Merseyside saw a return to form with the Welshman ending his Liverpool career with 346 in 660 appearances.
Robbie Keane – Tottenham Hotspur (2009-2011)
After six years at White Hart Lane, Keane signed for Benitez at Liverpool in 2008. However, the Irishman could never find form at Anfield, scoring a paltry five goals in 19 games.
Before being almost chased out of Anfield for a waste of £19 million, Keane returned to Spurs to play just six months after leaving under new manager Redknapp.
Didier Drogba – Chelsea (2014-present)
Drogba returned to his most successful club this summer after it appeared his time at the top of the game was over following spells in China and Turkey.
157 goals in his first stint at the club, Drogba will be hoping for just a few more in, surely, his swan song in West London.
Paul Scholes – Manchester United (2012)
Just six months after deciding to retire, Scholes returned to Old Trafford the hero to Sir Alex Ferguson’s damsel in distress as the United boss lost faith in his midfield. His short time on the sideline didn’t seem to affect the midfielder maestro who walked back in the side and ran the show from the first kick.
Scholes retired again, finally, a year later with his 11th Premier League winners medal in tow.
Jens Lehmann – Arsenal (2011)
After an injury crisis at Arsenal left them with just one, fit senior keeper – and that was nightmare inducer Manuel Almunia – Jens Lehmann was signed on a contract in March 2011 until the end of the season.
The big German stared menacingly on the sidelines whilst Almunia was between the sticks but got his chance against Blackpool – making him Arsenal’s oldest ever player in the Premier League.