Arjen Robben Returns To Groningen, His First Professional Club
JAKARTA - The shocking news came from Winger from Holland, Arjen Robben. He had decided to retire at the end of the 2018/29 season, but now he has signed a contract with his first professional club, FC Groningen.
It turned out that Robben still wanted to return to the green field. At the age of 36, it's possible that Groningen is where he will truly retire.
The former Bayern Munich player actually announced hanging up his boots in July 2019. At that time, Die Roten was the last port of this deadly left-footed player.
Before deciding to retire at that time, Robben managed to help Bayern Munich win the German Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles in the 2018/19 season. And he decided to retire right after his contract at the Allianz Arena ended.
After almost a year leaving the world that raised his name, he has now decided to return to playing football. The news of the former Chelsea player's return to Groningen was conveyed via the club's official website.
🌍 BREAKINGARJEN ROBBEN MAAKT COMEBACK BIJ FC GRONINGEN! 💚 # Arjenvolgjehart # laatonsweereensjuichen pic.twitter.com/QHIkzbZojM
- FC Groningen (@fcgroningen) June 27, 2020
Robben explained that he decided to return to playing football because he wanted to help Groningen achieve the best results next season. He also feels happy to be back at Groningen, the club he has been playing for since he was 12 years old.
"After 18 years of extraordinary adventure, I am home! Back to Groningen," said Robben.
Robben is one of the best wingers the Netherlands has ever had and even the world. Robben is known to have high speed when dribbling the ball, and has the ability to score goals through the cut inside movement which is his trademark.
Robben made his professional debut with Groningen in 2000 at the age of 16 years. He spent two seasons there before joining PSV Eindhoven, where he won the Eredivisie title in the 2002/03 season.
Chelsea also took an eye on Robben and signed him in 2004. After moving to Real Madrid three years ago, Robben only felt success while defending Bayern Munich in the period 2009 to 2019.
The most memorable was when Robben scored the winning goal in the 2013 European Champions League final. At that time Bayern beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at Wembley Stadium to win the club's historic treble winners.
At the National Team level, Robben has 96 caps for the Netherlands and scored 37 goals. He was also part of the golden generation of the Netherlands who lost in the 2010 World Cup final to Spain in South Africa.