6 players who re-signed for ex-clubs and succeeded

When a player is sold from a club and then goes on to succeed in developing and honing his skills at another club or league, the chances of him returning to the club he was once at, is slim to none in modern football.

The business of football is a cruel, harsh, cut-throat world where jobs for individuals working in any capacity is never assured.

For a player to be brought back to his former club, is not just a bold move on the players part but that of the clubs', signalling their intent and desire to accept a possible wrongdoing while placing tremendous faith in the ability of the player being recruited again.

Coupled with the fact that the clubs' pay out a lot of money to bring the player back to the place he once called home.

Here we take a look at five such players who added value to the team they once left and excelled on their return.

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#6 Mats Hummels

Hummels will be key for Bayern at the back

The 28-year-old World Cup winning German centre-back, Mats Hummels, was a Bayern Munich players between 2006-09, making appearances for the Bayern second team, after rising through the Bavarian club's youth academy.

Unhappy with his developmental progress at Bayern, Hummels opted to move to rivals Borussia Dortmund, where he enjoyed a fruitful spell, winning two Bundesliga titles and the German cup.

Hummels was also a UEFA Champions League finals runner-up in 2013, as Bayern pipped Dortmund to win the UEFA Champions League.

After 8 years at Dortmund, Hummels felt it was time for a change, and moved back to his boyhood club Bayern Munich in 2016, signing a five-year deal.

The impact was instant as Hummels claimed his first Bundesliga with Bayern in his first full season, back as a Munich player.

With four years left on his contract, a number of accolades are yet to be collected by Mats Hummels.

#5 Nemanja Matic

Matic could win back to back PL titles

The Serbian midfield ace, Nemanja Matic has proven himself to be one of the world's best deep-lying playmakers and a rock solid holding midfield option.

Touted to be a future star when signed by Chelsea by then manager Carlo Ancelloti in 2009, Matic failed to make an impact and was sold in an exchange deal with Benfica bringing David Luiz to London with Matic going the other way.

After having an impressive couple of seasons for Benfica, Matic was re-signed for Chelsea under Jose Mourinho in 2014 and together won the Premier League and League Cup immediately.

Matic went on to claim another Premier League winners medal as he guided the Blues to their second title in three seasons under Italian manager Antonio Conte.

In a controversial move this summer, the Serbian left the title holders Chelsea to reunite with Mourinho in the red of Manchester United.

#4 Gerard Pique

Pique - the ever-present force at the back

Like Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique also a graduate of Barcelona's La Masia academy, but moved at an early age to England, and joined Manchester United under Alex Ferguson.

"United offered me the special chance of being in daily contact with professional players,” - the centre-back told FFT magazine in 2015.

“At Barcelona, the philosophy was different then, and foreign signings were given more opportunities than the youth team."

Pique went on to spend four years at Old Trafford making only 12 league appearances, realising that he might need to move again to further his playing time.

A return to Barcelona in 2008 in a deal worth £5 million, could not have come at a better time for Pique, as he has established himself as one of the world's foremost defenders since, winning everything there is to win for his boyhood club, including 6 La Liga titles.

#3 Marco Reus

Galatasaray AS v Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League

The 28-year-old German international currently plying his trade at Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, did leave the club at one stage of his career, joining Rot Weiss Ahlen, aged 17, to continue his development in 2006.

A move to Borussia Monchengladbach then followed, where he established himself as one of the Bundesliga's most creative and exciting young players.

Dortmund kept a close eye on the players' development helped them quickly notch him up, and Reus has shown no signs of wanting to depart again like many a teammate before.

A Champions League finalist and winner of both German Cups with Dortmund, Reus has had a difficult career with niggling injuries playing a crucial part in him missing out on Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph.

Dortmund have begun the season well, as Reus looks to claim his maiden Bundesliga crown if they can keep Bayern at bay.

He's also a sure-shot guarantee in the German squad for the FIFA World Cup next year. Provided injuries don't hamper his chances, this season could be the year of Marco Reus

#2 Paul Pogba

Pogba, United's man for the future

The Frenchman was part of Manchester United's youth setup, but was unhappy with the amount of game time received at Old Trafford and subsequently made the move to Juventus on a free transfer.

It was at Juventus that the world took notice of Paul Pogba's talent, as he guided the Italian giants to three consecutive Serie A titles, Italian cups and were runners-up to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League final of 2015.

In 2016, Pogba returned to Manchester United, claiming he had unfinished business with the club and in his very first season, won the UEFA Europa League as well as the League cup, continuing his trophy-laden career thus far.

Only 24 still, Pogba is on course to exceed expectations if the first season is a marker to go by.

#1 Cesc Fabregas

Formerly of Barcelona, currently in West London

The 30-year-old Spaniard is a decorated footballer who enjoyed his initial days playing at Barcelona, before he left for Arsenal at the tender age of 16, to continue his development in London under Arsene Wenger.

After eight years with the Gunners, with the last few as captain and an FA Cup to show for his time in London, Fabregas made his 'dream move' back to the Catalan giants, Barcelona.

With Guardiola at the helm, Barcelona was the best team in the world at the time, and with the arrival of Fabregas to bolster their creative options in the middle of the park, Barcelona looked formidable.

In his three years at the Nou Camp, Fabregas enjoyed a successful spell, playing a key role, guiding his childhood team to every trophy but the UEFA Champions League.

Back in London, but plying his trade for Chelsea, the Spaniard has gone on to win the English Premier League twice with the Blues in the last three seasons, as he chases the elusive Champions League dream.