10 footballers who returned to play for their boyhood clubs

4. Robin van Persie - Feyenoord

De Graafschap v Feyenoord - Eredivisie

Starting his career at Feyenoord, RVP's talents would eventually attract Arsene Wenger's eye. The youngster left Holland for the Premier League, joining Arsenal in 2004. Although he dealt with stubborn injuries, he remained an important part of the Gunners' lineup for years.

His shock move, however, took him from Arsenal to bitter rivals Manchester United. Even more painful for the Gooners, his move to Old Trafford came right after he scored 30 goals for Arsenal! In the three seasons he spent at Man United, van Persie played brilliantly and aided the Red Devils in bringing home the Premier League title.

The star striker left England for Fenerbahce in 2015, and in 2018, made the decision to go back to where it all started: Feyenoord. In the two years he played for his boyhood club, van Persie went on to score 21 goals in just 37 appearances.

3. Andriy Shevchenko – Dynamo Kyiv

Ukrainian League: FC Dynamo Kiev v FC Obolon

For anyone who grew up in a Milan-supporting household, Andriy Shevchenko is a popular name. The former Milan star rose up the ranks in Dynamo Kiev, and quickly caught the attention of bigger European clubs.

Spending seven seasons at Milan, Shevchenko was synonymous with goals. Save for his fourth season where he managed only five Serie A goals, he was a consistent force in front of goal for the Italian giants, finishing his seven seasons with 127 Serie A goals to his credit.

His time at Chelsea, however, was much less eventful as he struggled season after season to find the net more consistently. Finishing two Premier League seasons with less than 10 goals, he made the decision to move back to Dynamo Kiev. He played another three seasons in Ukraine, back to his goalscoring ways, before finally hanging up his boots in 2012.

2. Diego Milito - Racing Club

Racing Club v Unión - Superliga Argentina 2019/20

The former Racing Club manager started his career with Racing Club back in 1999 before leaving Argentina for Genoa in Italy. He went on to play for Real Zaragoza, and eventually, Internazionale, where he won the Champions League under Jose Mourinho.

A dedicated finisher with an accomplished eye for goals, Milito averaged a shocking goal in every two appearances throughout the course of his entire career spanning three leagues.

At the age of 34, the former Genoa star made an emotional return to Racing, and he continued his prolific goalscoring even at that age. After popping 21 goals in his last 59 appearances for Racing, he decided to hang his boots.

Notably, he scored a goal in his last game for Racing!

1. Henrik Larsson

Sweden v Denmark - FIFA2010 World Cup Qualifier

This prolific scorer is perhaps one of Celtic's biggest legends in recent football history. Larsson's career began with Swedish fourth division side Hogaborg. After his third season at Hogaborg, where he scored 15 goals in 22 games, it didn't take long for top tier Swedish club Helsingborg to notice him.

The goal machine went on to score a shocking 51 goals in 61 appearances before Feyenoord came calling. After four seasons in the Netherlands, he joined Celtic, where he averaged just over a goal per game across seven seasons!

After shortlived stints with Barcelona and Manchester United, the Swedish legend returned to Helsingborg, where he hung-up his boots in 2009.

Shockingly, he briefly came out of retirement to make an emotional comeback at his boyhood club Hogaborg in 2013. The former Celtic star was the assistant manager at the time, but due to several injuries, he picked up his boots again to help out.

Notably, he played alongside his15-year-old son, Jordan.