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Players like Totti, Scholes or Giggs who have played for their childhood club throughout their career are very rare in the modern era.Many times footballers have long playing careers at various clubs. Although these players have had long and successful stints at various clubs, the club where they first started off playing has always held a special place in their hearts. Often these footballers have returned to a hero’s welcome with the fans thrilled to be welcoming one of their own back again. We take a look at 10 famous players who came back to play for their childhood clubs
#1 Fernando Torres - Atletico Madrid
The silver lining of Atletico’s relegation in 2001 was the discovery of the precociously talented Spaniard Fernando Torres. Arguably, the most loved player in Atletico, Fernando Torres graduated through the youth ranks before he played a fruitful 7 seasons for Atletico in his first spell at the club.
Torres became captain of the team at the tender age of 19 and the Spaniard did not disappoint turning in some truly mesmerising performances for the Colchoneros. Torres moved to Liverpool in the 2007 season where he went on to become one of the most dreaded forwards in the club.
The Spaniard, however, had a difficult spell in his career at Chelsea and AC Milan after which he made an emotional return to his boyhood club on a 2-year loan deal from AC Milan. Torres' unveiling at the Vicente Calderón Stadium on 4 January 2015 drew a crowd of 45,000.
Already a club legend, Torres recently scored his 100th goal for the club cementing his place in the fan’s hearts forever.
#2 Cesc Fabregas - Barcelona
Another famous player to graduate from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Fabregas left Barcelona at the age of 16 to join for Premier League side Arsenal.
Following injuries to key midfielders for Arsenal in the early part of the 2004/05 season, he went on to establish himself in the team. He broke several of the club's records in the process, earning a reputation as one of the best players in his position, and he even won the FA Cup in 2005.The Spaniard became so important for the Gunners that he was named their captain in the 2008/09 season.
However, Fabregas’ mind was set on playing for his childhood club Barcelona again and after a long and protracted negotiations, Barcelona signed Fàbregas for an initial fee of €29 million with a further €5 million in variables, plus Fàbregas would pay Arsenal €1 million a year from his wage for five years.
After a successful stint at his childhood club, Fabregas left his beloved Barcelona to join Chelsea in 2014 which infuriated the Arsenal fans.
#3 Zico - Flamengo
Considered to be one of the most talented players to ever play the game, Zico was a creative player, gifted with excellent technical ability and vision. He was arguably the world’s greatest player in the late 1970s and early 80s.
Zico started off his legendary career for Brazilian club Flamengo in 1971. While at Flamengo, Zico was a key player during the most glorious period of the team's history. Along with many other titles, in his first period at Flamengo he led the team to victory in the 1981 Copa Libertadores, the 1981 Intercontinental Cup, and four national titles (1980/82/83/87).
In 1983, Zico moved to Udinese after a big money offer for him was accepted by Flamengo. The Flamengo fans were broken hearted when he left. After two seasons at Udinese, Zico made an emotional return to his boyhood club.
His second spell lasted from 1985-1989 and he turned in some mesmerising performances in that period. With 731 matches for Flamengo, Zico is the player with the 2nd most appearances for the club. His 508 goals make him the club's top scorer ever.
#4 Carlos Tevez - Boca Juniors
Carlos Tevez has played for a number of huge clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus, but the team which he loves the most is his current and childhood club Boca Juniors.
Tevez began his career with Boca Juniors in 2001 where he spent three fruitful seasons winning the Copa Libertadores and Intercontinental Cup in 2003. The Argentine became a huge fan favourite for his hardworking displays and decisive contributions. He left Boca Juniors to join Corinthians in 2005.
After winning League titles with Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus, .Tevez made an emotional return to Boca Juniors in 2015 to fulfill his dream of winning the Argentine Premiera Division title.
Tevez had a large impact, scoring nine goals in 15 games as he finished the 2015 season by achieving his goal of winning the Argentine Premiera Division and Copa Argentina double with Boca Juniors, becoming the first footballer to win two domestic league and cup doubles in one calendar year.
#5 Robbie Fowler - Liverpool
Born and brought up in Liverpool, Robbie Fowler was a true scouser and a firm fan favourite at Anfield. He scored 183 goals in total for Liverpool, 128 of which were scored in the Premier League. He earned the nickname "God" from the Anfield crowd, becoming a club legend due to his ruthlessness in front of goal.
The 2000/01 season was the most successful season trophy wise in Fowler’s career as he scored 17 goals in the season which Liverpool won a unique treble of cups – The League Cup, FA Cup and the UEFA Cup. Fowler departed Liverpool to join Leeds United in 2001 and he also had a spell at Manchester City.
In January 2006, Fowler rejoined Liverpool as a free agent in what was a hugely popular move with the fans. The fans welcomed him with a banner which read 'God – number eleven, welcome back to heaven', with 'God' being Fowler's nickname while he was previously at Liverpool.
Fowler went on to score some crucial goals in his second spell before he moved on to play for Cardiff City.
#6 Johan Cruyff - Ajax
Cruyff started his legendary career at Ajax in 1964 where he won eight Eredivisie titles and three European cups. Considered to be one of the most influential figures in football history, Cruyff's style of play and his football philosophy has significantly influenced many notable managers and players such as Pep Guardiola, Arsene Wenger, Eric Cantona and Xavi.
In the summer of 1973, Cruyff was sold to Barcelona for a world record transfer fee. The Dutchman had a wonderful five-year spell at Barcelona where he mesmerised everyone with his amazing skills. After some forgettable spells in the United States and Levante, Cruyff made an emotional return to his boyhood club.
Cruyff rejoined Ajax in 1981 and he spent two more seasons at his beloved Ajax club. After the 1983 season, angered by Ajax’s refusal to offer him a new contract, Cruyff joined rivals Feyenoord which slightly soured his relationship with Ajax.
However, he will always be remembered for his glorious spells at Ajax and Barcelona.
#7 Gerard Pique - Barcelona
A Catalonian through and through, Gerard Pique first started off playing in the famous La Masia academy of Barcelona. He started off playing as a defensive midfielder but before he signed his first professional contract, Pique decided to make a move to Manchester United.
Pique stayed for four years at Manchester United where he spent his formative years under the watchful eye of Sir Alex Ferguson. On 27th May 2008, Pique returned to Barcelona for a fee of just £5 million which is a bargain considering today’s market costs.
On his return to Barcelona, Pique said:
"I am very happy to be back, I didn't think I would be here again but this is very good for me. Manchester United is a great club and I enjoyed winning things. To play with world class players has helped me and now I want to continue this at Barça."
Pique has now established himself as a Barcelona regular and he has become a firm fan favourite at the Camp Nou.
#8 Juan Roman Riquelme - Boca Juniors
The second Boca Juniors player on the list, Juan Roman Riquelme was considered to be one of the most talented and stylish player of this generation. One of the last true ‘number 10s’, Riquelme combined passing, vision, and technical skills with goalscoring ability from midfield. He was also capable of playing as a deep-lying playmaker.
Riquelme made his debut for Boca in 1996 and after a successful seven-year spell which brought him six major trophies, the talented Argentine moved to Barcelona. After a mixed spell at Barcelona, He was loaned to Villarreal where he rediscovered his form.
In August 2007, Riquelme signed permanently for his childhood club Boca Juniors again. He went on to play till 2014 for Boca enjoying a long a nd fruitful second stint at his club winning many major trophies.
Boca fans will always have a special place in their heart for Riquelme.
#9 Juan Pablo Angel - Atletico Nacional
Juan Pablo Angel began his career at Nacional and he helped them to win the Championship in 1994. Ángel began to make a name for himself when he scored the winning goal against local rival Independiente to help Nacional capture the 1994 Colombian title.
Angel was sold to Argentine team River Plate in 1998 and he went on to ahve a hugely successful spell there scoring 62 goals in 132 games making him a firm fan favourite. Angel is most known for his time at Aston Villa however, where he put in some virtuoso displays.
After a spell in the United States where he played for teams such as New York Red Bulls and LA Galaxy, Angel made an emotional return to his childhood club Nacional in 2013.
After a solitary season with the club where he put in some good performances, Angel retired with his career having come a full circle.
#10 Andrei Arshavin - Zenit Saint Petrsburg
Arshavin began his career with Zenit in 2000 and had a trophy-laden spell until he left Zenit to join Arsenal in 2009. Arshavin won the Russian Premier League, Russian Cup, UEFA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. During his first spell at Zenit, he also won the Russian footballer of the year.
All these performances started drawing the attention of the big clubs and after having bids rejected from Barcelona and Tottenham, Zenit finally agreed to sell the Russian to Arsenal in 2009. Arshavin had some good moments in Arsenal till 2012.
However, fitness and issues with forms forced Arshavin into the background at Arsenal and the Russian returned to Zenit on 24 February 2012 for a loan deal that concluded in July 2012, and returned permanently on a free transfer in June 2013.
Arshavin stated that he was "very happy to put on Zenit's shirt again.”
After three years at Zenit, Arshavin moved on to Kuban Krasnodar. However, his contract was dissolved by mutual consent on February 1st 2016 and the talented Russian is currently a free agent.
