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A look at players who have rejoined clubs as Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott return

By PA Sport Staff
·3-min read

Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott made surprise returns to their former clubs on loan during the Premier League transfer window.

Bale completed a switch to Tottenham from Real Madrid last month, seven years after he left Spurs, while Walcott, who started out at Southampton before he departed in 2006, is back with the south coast outfit.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some other players who have made the move back to their old stomping ground in the Premier League.

Andy Carroll (Newcastle)

Andy Carroll has failed to score in 26 appearances since he returned to Newcastle
Andy Carroll has failed to score in 26 appearances since he returned to Newcastle (Alex Pantling/PA)

Geordie Carroll made a return to St James’ Park last year after an injury-hit few seasons with West Ham. The forward was a hugely popular figure at Newcastle after he progressed through the academy and fired them to promotion in 2010. He left six months later and although he is yet to get off the mark in his second spell, he has become a useful option up front.

Wayne Rooney (Everton)

After he departed Goodison Park as a superstar teenager in 2004, Rooney was back 13 years later having achieved virtually all he could in the game with Manchester United and England. It was a mixed spell with his boyhood team. A hat-trick against West Ham was a high, but he moved on following a solitary season despite hitting double figures.

David Luiz (Chelsea)

Today is the day when I must thank all the people who were part of my story with @chelseafc !!! These were brilliant years where I always tried to do my best all the time!!! I thank the fans and all the coaches I had during the seven years I represented the club. I thank the medical and technical staff, the kitchen staff, friends who take care of the pitch, my friends from security… LITERALLY everybody! With each one I had a story and built a true friendship!!! I wish a very good luck to this great club!!! I carry all of you in my heart!!! God bless you so much! 🙏🏼 #Thankyou. Hoje chegou o dia em que devo agradecer a todas as pessoas que fizeram parte dessa minha história com o @chelseafc !!! Foram anos brilhantes onde sempre tentei dar o meu melhor em todos os momentos!!! Agradeço aos fãs, agradeço a todos os treinadores que tive durante os sete anos que passei no clube, agradeço ao staff médico, técnico, pessoal da cozinha, amigos que cuidam do gramado, meus amigos seguranças… LITERALMENTE todos os funcionários, porquê com cada um tive uma história e construí uma amizade verdadeira!!! Desejo boa sorte a este grande clube!!! Levo no coração todos vocês!!! Deus abençoe muito! 🙏🏼 #obrigado

A post shared by David Luiz (@davidluiz_4) on Aug 8, 2019 at 2:15pm PDT

The Brazilian defender won the Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League in his first spell at Chelsea and after he made a surprise deadline day return in August 2016, added another handful of trophies to his list. He was a key player in the Premier League triumph under Antonio Conte and starred in another Europa League win before he left again in 2019.

Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Paul Pogba has endured an up and down time at Old Trafford after he made the switch back to England in 2016
Paul Pogba has endured an up-and-down time at Old Trafford after he made the switch back to England in 2016 (Alex Livesey/PA)

United parted with £89million to bring academy graduate Pogba back to Old Trafford. After becoming frustrated with a lack of game time, he left in 2012 and returned four years later as one of the world’s best midfielders. He helped win two trophies in his first season but injuries and a lack of consistency has blighted his second spell.

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

The winger made a permanent return to Selhurst Park in February 2015 after a loan spell from Manchester United. Despite constant speculation over his future, the Crystal Palace ace has been a key figure in the Eagles’ fight against relegation in recent seasons and recently made his 350th appearance for the club.

Didier Drogba (Chelsea)

Back to Back @premierleague Champions 05/06 and « avec la manière s’il vous plaît »😉 @hernancrespo @wgallas13 @geremi_8 @chelseafc How young were we?!?!?😅

A post shared by didierdrogba (@didierdrogba) on May 1, 2020 at 8:09am PDT

Not content with the 11 trophies he won in his first spell with Chelsea, the Ivory Coast forward was back in west London two years after his departure. He lasted only one season under Jose Mourinho in 2014, but won another Premier League title and added seven more goals in all competitions.

Thierry Henry (Arsenal)

Thierry Henry grabs a goal on his second Arsenal debut against Leeds in trademark style
Thierry Henry grabbed a goal on his second Arsenal debut against Leeds in trademark style (Nick Potts/PA)

Arsenal’s record goalscorer came back for a month-long loan in January 2012 and his second debut confirmed it was the correct decision. Summoned off the bench, Henry grabbed the winner in an FA Cup tie against Leeds at the Emirates. He scored once more, a last-minute goal to clinch all three points at Sunderland, before he headed back to New York Red Bulls.