Arjen Robben Announces His Return To Professional Football, Plans To Join FC Groningen

Retired Bayern Munich winger, Arjen Robben, is making a comeback to professional football, just a season after he retired from the sport alongside his teammate Franck Ribery in July last year. 

Robben will be making a return to his hometown club, FC Groningen, this summer which was where he started his professional career 18 years before his transfer to the PSV Eindhoven for £12.1m in 2002. 

Announcing his return to the sport, the former Real Madrid player said: "After a wonderful adventure of 18 years, we're coming back to Groningen. We're coming home during this difficult time of crisis, one that also hits FC Groningen."

Since the 36-year-old left the Dutch league by signing Chelsea in 2004, this will be the first time that he will be featuring in the league. However, he enjoyed a title-decorated spell at the clubs he played during his career. At Chelsea, he won six silverware including two Premier League titles. For Madrid, he won two silverware including one La Liga title and at Bayern 20 silverware including 8 Bundesliga title. 

Robben, in his statement, went on to reveal that he and the club are yet to agree on a deal for his return to the club but assured his fans that he will make all effort necessary to ensure a deal is done. 

"I want to make my comeback as a football player, a player of Groningen," he added. "At this time, I am not sure if it will happen. What I am sure of, is that my drive and motivation will be at 100 percent."