15 British Players Who Returned To Their Former Clubs

Though Martin Keown was born and grew up in Oxford, it was Arsenal that he signed schoolboy terms with in 1980, aged just 14 years old. He made 22 appearances before George Graham arrived in 1986 and found the young defender surplus to requirements. Keown would spend the next seven years at Aston Villa and Everton before being brought back to the Gunners in February 1993 by the same man who'd let him go.

He went on to form one of the most famous defensive lines in football history along with Lee Dixon, Tony Adams and Nigel Winterburn. Arsenal proceeded to go through one of their most successful periods with Keown winning three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, three Community Shields and a Cup Winners' Cup. Twice during this time Arsenal managed doubles, winning the league and cup in the same season.

Keown is a perfect example of a young player being overlooked by a club then coming back having learnt his trade to become one of team's most important players years later. He later found a role as a pundit and is fondly remembered by Arsenal fans across the globe.