Retired Dutch football star Robben returns to play game

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Retired Dutch football star Arjen Robben will play the game for his boyhood club Groningen next season, ending his retirement on Saturday.

Groningen said on its website the club signed Robben as the 2010 FIFA World Cup silver medalist physically prepared himself to come back to football.

"The 36-year-old top player has been in training for weeks to be part of the first selection of FC Groningen at the start of the 2020/2021 season," Groningen said.

Robben will wear the no. 10 jersey at Groningen as he posed with the Dutch club's jersey for cameras to announce his move.

Groningen is playing in the Netherlands' top-flight campaign, Eredivisie as the next season will start on Sept. 12.

Robben had retired from football in 2019. His primary position was the right wing, but he could play as a left winger as well.

- Career full of achievements

In addition to Groningen and PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Robben played for many football heavyweights Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, respectively.

Robben was a pure Groningen product, playing for this club's youth teams (U-17 and U-19) and senior squad from 1999 to 2002.

He was a PSV player in 2002-2004 as he bagged the Eredivisie title in 2003.

Then Robben made his way to the English Premier League club Chelsea, his first overseas experience.

Robben was a back-to-back English champion with Chelsea in 2005 and 2006.

He helped Real Madrid win the Spanish La Liga title in 2008.

The former Netherlands winger last played for Bayern Munich, where he won eight German Bundesliga titles.

During his 10-season spell at Bayern, Robben won the UEFA Champions League in 2013.

Robben scored 37 goals in 96 international appearances for the Netherlands.

He was a part of the Dutch national team during the 2010 World Cup as the Netherlands were the runners-up. Spain won the title in South Africa.

Throughout his club career, Robben scored 209 goals in 607 appearances in total.