A NUMBER of fan favourites and membership legends have returned for second spells at their former groups previously.
Whether or not it’s for a remaining hurrah or to honour an previous promise, supporters like to see an icon return residence one final time.
Cristiano Ronaldo acquired a hero’s welcome when he returned to Manchester UnitedCredit score: Getty
Thierry Henry made the proper Arsenal comeback in 2012Credit score: AFP
Amongst these to have returned to their former golf equipment in recent times are Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry.
The pair headed again to Manchester United and Arsenal, respectively, to a hero’s welcome from followers.
Right here, SunSport checks out six footballers who’ve returned to their previous groups as legends.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United
Having been signed as a thin 18-year-old from Sporting Lisbon in 2003, Ronaldo was moulded right into a prolific goalscorer and Ballon d’Or winner by Sir Alex Ferguson.
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By the point his first spell at United led to 2009, he had gained his first Ballon d’Or and scored 84 Premier League targets.
His performances earned Ronaldo a then world file £80million transfer to Actual Madrid, the place he would win 4 extra Ballon d’Ors and rating a staggering 450 targets.
Following three years in Italy with Juventus, Ronaldo was once more in the marketplace in 2021, with Manchester Metropolis reportedly near securing his signature.
Ronaldo developed from a thin winger to a prolific goalscorer at UnitedCredit score: Getty
By the point he left in 2009, Ronaldo had gained the Ballon d’Or and Champions LeagueCredit score: Getty
Nevertheless, on the eleventh hour, United swooped to grab their former participant from below their rivals noses to the delight of their supporters.
A brace on his comeback towards Newcastle set the tone for a powerful private season as Ronaldo bagged 24 targets throughout all competitions.
Following an explosive interview with Piers Morgan, the veteran ahead left Outdated Trafford for a second time in November 2022.
Thierry Henry – Arsenal
Henry developed from a uncooked, left winger right into a world-class striker throughout his preliminary eight-year spell at Arsenal.
The Frenchman scored 226 targets for the Gunners earlier than heading to Spain and signing for Barcelona in 2007.
He spent three years in La Liga, scoring 35 targets in 80 appearances earlier than becoming a member of the New York Crimson Bulls within the MLS.
Henry turned a legend throughout his first eight years with ArsenalCredit score: Getty
However he would later be handed the prospect to return to the place all of it started for a month-long mortgage spell with Arsenal in 2012.
Supporters couldn’t imagine their eyes once they noticed the information Henry can be sporting the well-known crimson and white once more.
The spotlight of his return got here on his first look again in North London, coming off the bench towards Leeds to attain the winner within the FA Cup third spherical.
He additionally repeated the feat towards Sunderland in his remaining match for Arsenal.
The Frenchman got here off the bench to attain in his first recreation againCredit score: Getty
Didier Drogba – Chelsea
Few followers would have urged Didier Drogba would develop into a Chelsea legend when he joined the membership for £24million in 2004.
Nevertheless, he would cement his place in Blues folklore by scoring the profitable penalty towards Bayern Munich within the Champions League remaining eight years later.
That spot-kick got here after he had earlier headed his aspect degree with an 88th minute equaliser.
He would depart Stamford Bridge after the ultimate, occurring to have spells with Galatasaray and Shanghai Shenhua earlier than returning to West London two years later.
Didier Drogba helped Chelsea win the Champions League with the final kick of his first spellCredit score: Occasions Newspapers Ltd
The striker was given a hero’s farewell after returning for the 2014/15 seasonCredit score: AFP
Drogba spent a lot of the 2014/15 season as cowl for Diego Costa and by the tip of the marketing campaign he had introduced he can be leaving once more.
Throughout his farewell match on the ultimate day towards Sunderland, the striker was carried off by his team-mates after being substituted within the thirtieth minute.
Throughout his two spells with Chelsea, Drogba scored a complete of 164 targets.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – AC Milan
Regardless of taking part in for 9 golf equipment throughout his illustrious profession, there may be nowhere Zlatan Ibrahimovic is extra fondly remembered than AC Milan.
The ex-Sweden striker first starred for the Italian giants on mortgage from Barcelona for the 2010/11 season earlier than making his transfer everlasting.
He adopted the Serie A title in that marketing campaign with 28 league targets to win the golden boot earlier than leaving for Paris Saint-Germain in 2012.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s targets helped win AC Milan a league title in 2011Credit score: AP:Related Press
Ibrahimovic would stay one of many world’s finest gamers throughout his time in France earlier than spells at United and LA Galaxy.
He would return to Milan to finish his profession, although, signing for the Rossoneri in January 2020 aged 38.
Earlier than retiring in 2023, Ibrahimovic was in a position to encourage Milan to their first Scudetto for the reason that 2011 triumph as they pipped metropolis rivals Inter to the title in 2022.
His return helped encourage Milan to their first title in 11 years in 2022Credit score: Reuters
Sergio Ramos – Sevilla
Sergio Ramos progressed by means of Sevilla’s academy earlier than breaking into the first-team in 2004 aged 18.
As an adolescent, he made 49 appearances for the membership as they equalled their highest La Liga end for a decade.
Ramos’ shows caught the eye of Actual Madrid, who would swoop to steal him away from his hometown membership.
Sergio Ramos broke into the Sevilla first-team as an adolescent earlier than becoming a member of Actual MadridCredit score: Getty
Ramos made an emotional return to Sevilla in 2023Credit score: The Mega Company
Throughout 16 years within the Spanish capital, the defender made 671 appearances and gained 22 main trophies, together with the Champions League 4 instances.
The World Cup winner headed to France for 2 seasons earlier than making an emotional return to Sevilla at 37 in 2023, signing a one-year deal virtually twenty years on from his final look.
Joe Cole – West Ham
Like Ramos, Joe Cole returned to the membership the place his profession started after coming by means of West Ham’s fabled youth system.
After 5 years within the first crew, he was bought to Chelsea in 2003 following the Hammers’ relegation from the Premier League.
The midfielder gained three league titles at Stamford Bridge earlier than turning out for Liverpool and Lille between 2010 and 2013.
Joe Cole graduated from West Ham’s fabled academyCredit score: Getty
When the time got here to depart Anfield, although, he opted to return to East London and signed for West Ham midway by means of the 2012/13 season.
Throughout the subsequent 18 months, Cole scored 5 targets in 31 league appearances because the Hammers consolidated their place again within the high flight.
Though he would depart for Aston Villa in 2014, Cole remains to be extremely regarded by West Ham supporters.
The midfielder returned to the membership in 2013 after a decade awayCredit score: Occasions Newspapers Ltd