LegitLists: 7 Football Players Who Have Made Successful Returns To Their Former Clubs.

Following Manchester United’s announcement of a surprise return of Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo to the Old Trafford, we have decided to curate a list of some football players who have made surprise comeback to their former clubs.

Here is a list of 7 Players who have made successful returns to their former clubs.

NEMANJA MATIC – CHELSEA (2009 & 2014)

Nemanja Matic got signed to Chelsea in 2009, but was only opportune to play just three times for the first team. He was loaned to Vitesse Arnhem and then later sold to Benfica. Matic however returned to Chelsea in 2014 and helped them win two league titles.

JERMAIN DEFOE – TOTTENHAM FC (2004 & 2009)

England forward, Jermain Defoe had his first spell at Tottenham Hotspur FC in 2004. But was however sold to Portsmouth in 2008 after an amazing spell at the club. After just one season at Portsmouth he made a return back to Tottenham Hotspur and ended his Spurs as the club’s sixth top goal scorer ever.

SOL CAMPBELL – ARSENAL FC (2001 & 2010)

Former England Defender, Sol Campbell joined Arsenal from Tottenham in 2001 and spent five years at the club. The defender left for Portsmouth in 2006 and then Notts County in 2009. Campbell made a return to Arsenal in the remainder of the 2009-2010 season, before joining Newcastle.

GARETH BALE – TOTTENHAM FC (2007 & 2020)

After his spell with Tottenham Hotspur in 2007 – 2013, Gareth made a switch to Real Madrid becoming the most expensive player in the world at that time. Bale had an amazing spell at Madrid before returning back to Tottenham on loan.

THIERRY HENRY – ARSENAL (1999 & 2012)

Arsenal’s greatest ever striker Thierry Henry had his first amazing spell after he joined the club in 1999. He claimed to Premier League Titles with the club, before leaving for Barcelona in 2007 after Arsenal’s painful UEFA Champions League final loss to the Spanish club.

He later moved on to New York Red Bulls in 2010 before making a final return to Arsenal on a two month loan in 2012. He had an amazing impact during his second spell as well.

DIDIER DROGBA – CHELSEA (2004 & 2014)

Didier Drogba had a successful first spell at Chelsea winning Ten Trophies after he joined the team in 2004. During this time he won three Premier League Titles and the champions league. He left in in 2014 to Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray before returning to the Stamford Bridge in 2014, winning another league title with the club.

CRISTIANO RONALDO – MANCHESTER UNITED (2003 & 2021)

The greatest footballer alive, Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday, August 27, 2021 announced a return to his former club, Manchester United. The Portuguese forward had his first spell at the Old Trafford from 2003 – 2009. He scored 84 goals in 196 appearances for the club before switching for Real Madrid in 2009 and Juventus in 2018.

Ronaldo’s return to the English Premier League has poised a great threat to the other league contenders. The Manchester United Legend will definitely have a successful run in his second spell with the club.

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