Robben’s last appearance for FC Groningen was in 2002
FC Groningen has received a massive boost in both playing talent and marketability with the re-signing of Arjen Robben. The club, which has financial problems due to the Coronavirus outbreak, is in party mode since the news became known on Saturday. As reported by the GIC.
Robben’s return comes a year after he seemed to hang up his boots, following a glittering career playing for (aside from FC Groningen) PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea, Real Madrid; and Bayern Munich. Regarding his comeback at FC Groningen, he said: “I wanted to help the club. And I wondered how I could be of most value. And that’s on the field.”
The club is somewhat star-struck by its new signing: “he has won everything and then it is special that you come back to FC Groningen. This is great for our club and we are very grateful for that,” said technical director Mark Jan Fledderus.
The German media recently speculated about a comeback at Bayern Munich, whilst PSV Eindhoven also would have liked to have Robben on the field. But there was only one choice in the end: “why am I doing this? You can describe that reason in a word. I do this out of club love! I couldn’t do this at any other club. We are coming home and this was the only option to play football. You do that for the club. And I hope to enjoy it myself ”, says Robben, who signed a one-year contract.
Arjen Robben was born in Bedum in 1984, and played youth football for VV Bedum and FC Groningen. After two years with ‘the FC’, he moved to PSV Eindhoven in 2002 and won the Eredivisie in 2003. He then moved to Chelsea FC in London, helping them win their first Premier League title since 1955, along with a second Premier League title in 2006 an FA Cup, and two League Cups. He moved to Real Madrid as a ‘galactico’ in 2007, winning the league and cup double in his first season. After Real Madrid he moved to FC Bayern Munich, winning a record eight Bundesliga titles in a row, along with the German cup 5 times, and the Champions League 2013. With the Dutch national team, he 96 appearances over 14 years, including reaching the World Cup Final in 2010.
Image: Robben playing for Bayern in the 2012 Champions League Final via Flickr user rayand. License here.
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