Kuyt returns to Feyenoord after 9 years

This file photo shows Netherlands' Dirk Kuyt walking on the pitch with his children after a training session in Rio de Janeiro on June 30, 2014, the day after their 2014 World Cup round of 16 match win against Mexico. [Photo/Agencies]

THE HAGUE - Dirk Kuyt will return from Turkish giants Fenerbahce to Feyenoord next season, the Dutch club announced on Friday.

The 34-year-old signed a one-year contract at his home in Istanbul on Thursday. His contract at Fenerbahce expires after the current season. The new deal means that the former Dutch international, who finished second with the Dutch team at the 2010 World Cup and third in Brazil in 2014, returns to Rotterdam after a nine-year spell abroad.

Kuyt started his professional career in 1998 at FC Utrecht and from 2003 until 2006 he played for Feyenoord.

In the 2004/2005 season he became top scorer of the Eredivisie. He left Feyenoord for Liverpool in 2006 and after six years with the Reds the forward moved to Fenerbahce, with which he won Turkish champions last year.

"After nine beautiful years abroad this is a good moment to return," Kuyt said on the Feyenoord website. "I am fully fit and feel an enormous drive to make my period in Rotterdam a great success. Hopefully with one difference to my first period. I want to win a trophy with Feyenoord."

"This is a beautiful day for Feyenoord and the fans," Feyenoord's sporting director Martin van Geel reacted.

"We agreed a one-year contract, but that doesn't say anything about our intentions. Dirk can continue for years. He can become the Ryan Giggs of Feyenoord."