10 players who have returned home

Joe Cole – West Ham

The popular midfielder from Paddington wore the claret and blue between 1998 and 2003, his form winning him a move to London rivals Chelsea, having rejected a new deal at Upton Park. Following his time at the Bridge, Cole played for Liverpool and Lille before going back to The Hammers in 2013. Set up two goals on his second debut.

Fernando Torres – Atletico Madrid

Torres came through the Atletico Madrid academy, scoring 13 goals in 29 games during his first season in La Liga. Efforts in the Spanish top flight eventually saw him seal a move to Liverpool, where he went on to become a favourite. The striker moved to Chelsea in a £50m transfer, but was nowhere near as successful, and was back at Atletico via Milan in 2015. 45,000 fans turned out to see him re-sign.

Robbie Fowler – Liverpool

One of the most iconic strikers ever to pull on the red of Liverpool, Fowler joined Leeds United for £13m in 2001 but injury and the financial crisis at Elland Road meant he was sold to Man City in January 2003 on the cheap. When returning to Anfield in 2000, fans unfurled a banner reading ‘God, welcome back to heaven’.

Barry Ferguson – Rangers

Pushed out the door during the PLG era, Ibrox favourite Barry Ferguson went to Blackburn Rovers, where he played Premiership football. Ferguson was made captain by Graeme Souness in 2004 but lasted just 16 months, handing in a written request telling Rovers bosses he missed playing in Old Firm derbies. Back at Rangers in 2005.

Peter Beardsley – Newcastle

The Toon Army worshiped the ground Beardsley walked on but he moved to Liverpool in 1987, saying he wanted to win more trophies. That’s exactly what he did at Anfield, but in 1993 Bearsley was a Magpie again, and to some effect, serving as captain as they came painfully close to winning the title in 1996.

Ian Rush – Liverpool

Has there ever been a more popular Liverpool player? He won four league titles and two European cups, but fancied a change and was off Juventus for a British record transfer fee of £3.2m. Rush didn’t settle though, famously saying it was like living in a foreign country. 1988 he was back, and the rest is history.

Mark Hughes – Manchester United

Hughes also wanted to sample European living, but knew he belonged at Old Trafford. The Welshman caught the eye in his early days at United before moving to Barcelona in 1986 and Bayern Munich a year later. In 1988 Sir Alex Ferguson brought Hughes back for a club record £1.8m. Voted player of the year in 1989 and 1991.

Graeme Le Saux – Chelsea

Was chucked out of Stamford Bridge in 1993, throwing a wobbler after being substituted. GLS was sold to Blackburn shortly after, but Chelsea paid £5m to get him back in 1997, making him the most expensive defender in English football.

Look at how we’re betting on the new Premier League season