We examine the histories of five notable players who departed the league only to find themselves back the following year.
From Robbie Keane’s journey across multiple clubs to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s remarkable performances, these players have left an indelible mark on English football.
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Robbie Keane, the Irish striker, earned the distinction of representing 11 of his boyhood clubs during his illustrious career.
After a successful stint at Wolves, Keane joined Coventry City for £7.7 million in 1999. However, after just 11 months, he moved to Inter Milan for £16.7 million, contributing to Coventry’s subsequent relegation. Keane’s Italian adventure was short-lived as he returned to England, joining Leeds United on loan.
Impressive performances led to a permanent transfer to Leeds, and he continued to make his mark at various clubs, including Tottenham, Liverpool, and West Ham, before eventually venturing into the MLS and the Indian side ATK.
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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, known for his powerful striking abilities, began his English career at Leeds United in 1997. After two fruitful years at Leeds, he made a move to Atletico Madrid, where he enjoyed incredible success with 34 goals in 46 games.
This exceptional performance caught Chelsea’s attention, prompting a £19 million return to the Premier League just 12 months after leaving. Hasselbaink’s time at Chelsea was highly productive, and he later played for Middlesbrough, Charlton Athletic, and Cardiff City, leaving behind a legacy as an underrated Premier League striker.
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Newcastle United’s affinity for French players led to the signing of Yohan Cabaye from Lille in 2011 for £4.3 million. Cabaye and other French talents contributed to a vibrant era at St James’ Park. With 18 goals and 14 assists in 93 games, Cabaye showcased his brilliance at Newcastle.
His performances caught the attention of Paris Saint-Germain, resulting in a big-money move of over £21 million in January 2014. However, Cabaye struggled to replicate his previous form and joined Crystal Palace 18 months later, where he made more appearances but was no longer at his peak.
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Taiwo Awoniyi’s return to the Premier League was unexpected. After an impressive year in Germany with Union Berlin, where he scored ten goals in 27 appearances, he secured a permanent move to Nottingham Forest. Despite numerous loan spells at Liverpool, Awoniyi found his footing in the German capital.
However, his stay in Berlin was short-lived as Forest secured his services. His 10-goal haul in the 2022/23 Premier League season was instrumental in keeping Forest away from relegation.
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Willian, a former Arsenal player, terminated his contract and returned to Brazil, seemingly ending his Premier League journey. However, a year later, Willian made a surprising comeback, joining Fulham on a free transfer after receiving threats at Corinthians.
Despite scepticism surrounding his abilities, Willian proved his worth during the 2022/23 campaign, contributing with five goals and six assists in 27 Premier League appearances as Fulham finished a comfortable 10th.
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