Maxi Rodriguez could not hide his delight at securing a move back to first club Newell's Old Boys, as the former Liverpool midfielder was presented to fans in the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa.
More than 3000 supporters turned up to welcome the Argentina international back to Rosario after an absence of 10 years, following spells in Europe with Espanyol, Atletico Madrid and the Premier League outfit. Maxi moved to the Lepra on a free transfer, agreeing his return after ending his time at Anfield with a year still remaining on his contract.
The 31-year-old delighted supporters by taking the field in his new shirt, and kicking balls into the stands. He also took the time to express his own joy at sealing the switch to his boyhood idols.
"This is the happiest day of my life, coming home where I have been given so much love," he told those present in the company of Newell's president Guillermo Lorente.
"For me it is an honour to wear this shirt. I hope I can repay on the pitch all this affection that you guys have given me from the terraces.
"There were some nervous times, a lot of tension, but luckily [the negotiations] finished positively. It's been 10 long years but I am here now, I am back."
Rodriguez made 57 appearances for Newell's in his first spell, scoring 20 times.
Maxi Rodriguez 'honoured' to return to Newell's
By Daniel Edwards | GOAL.com – Tue, Jul 17, 2012 10:11 PM SGT
View PhotoMaxi Rodriguez 'honoured' to return to Newell's
Editors' Picks
Neymar announces transfer to Barcelona
Brazil's Neymar announced on his Instagram account that he is to join FC Barcelona, who have edged out their great Spanish rivals Real Madrid in a tussle for the young striker's services.
Brazil's Neymar to sign with Barcelona on Monday
By Pedro Fonseca RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazil's gifted World Cup hope Neymar is moving to Spanish champions Barcelona, the striker said on Saturday, and will sign a five-year contract on Monday. Neymar chose Barcelona over their Spanish arch-rivals Real Madrid after Santos ended three years of resisting offers for the 21-year-old forward and let him go before next year's tournament in Brazil. "On Monday I'm signing a contract with Barcelona," Neymar said on his Instagram page and Twitter
Robben infuriates, bemuses, misses goals and wins match
By Brian Homewood LONDON (Reuters) - Arjen Robben's Champions League final was a microcosm of his career as the Bayern Munich winger perplexed opponents, left team mates waiting in vain for passes, infuriated fans and produced two match-winning moments. As usual, the Dutchman stubbornly refused to contemplate using his right foot in a man-of-the-match performance. Throughout his career with PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern and the Netherlands, Robben has been an exasperating enigma.
Man City down Chelsea 5-3 in friendly in NY
French midfielder Samir Nasri scored twice as Manchester City defeated Chelsea 5-3 in a crowd-pleasing friendly at Major League Baseball's Yankee Stadium.
Sociedad out to bounce back against Madrid
Real Sociedad will have to recover quickly from the news that their coach Philippe Montanier will leave to join Rennes at the end of the season as they face Real Madrid in a crucial match in their quest to claim the fourth and final Champions League place from La Liga.
Ribery and Robben combine to give Bayern victory
By Mike Collett LONDON (Reuters) - A brilliant Franco-Dutch move involving Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben in the final minutes settled a memorable all-German Champions League final as Bayern Munich beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday. Frenchman Ribery's back heel allowed Dutchman Robben to break through a gap in the Dortmund defense and dance round goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller to score the 89th minute winner. The goal sent Bayern's fans into raptures as their team became European
Latest videos
Confederation Cup cities announced
SNTV Videos - Fri, Nov 9, 2012 6:53 PM SGTConfederation Cup cities announced [AMBIENT]
SNTV Videos - Fri, Nov 9, 2012 6:51 PM SGTUlsan win from behind at Bunyodkor [AMBIENT]
SNTV Videos - Thu, Oct 25, 2012 1:50 AM SGTUlsan win from behind at Bunyodkor
SNTV Videos - Thu, Oct 25, 2012 1:47 AM SGTKuwait SC beat Al Ettifaq to reach AFC Cup final [AMBIENT]
SNTV Videos - Wed, Oct 24, 2012 6:39 AM SGTKuwait SC beat Al Ettifaq to reach AFC Cup final
SNTV Videos - Wed, Oct 24, 2012 6:36 AM SGTArbil beat Chonburi to reach AFC Cup final [AMBIENT]
SNTV Videos - Wed, Oct 24, 2012 1:33 AM SGTArbil beat Chonburi to reach AFC Cup final
SNTV Videos - Wed, Oct 24, 2012 1:30 AM SGT
LATEST SPORTS NEWS
Today on Yahoo!
More From
Most Popular Stories
DTotD: Footballer gets knocked over in the box, kicked repeatedly by three opponents
Dirty TackleThis might be the easiest penalty call of all time. A player in green gathers a rebound off the post with his back to the goal. A player in red then clumsily falls into him from behind, sending them both … Continue reading →
Dan Tan charged in Hungary football match-fixing probe
AFP NewsHungarian prosecutors said Friday that Dan Tan, a notorious Singaporean alleged match-fixer wanted around the world, was charged in absentia along with 44 others suspected of manipulating football matches.
Will Smith is not good at penalty kicks
Dirty TackleWill Smith and his son Jaden are in London to promote their new film (and hold a mini Fresh Prince reunion), and their trip happens to coincide with the city hosting this year's Champions League final between Bayern Munich and … Continue reading →
Last-gasp Robben gives Bayern fifth Euro crown
AFP NewsArjen Robben scored a heart-stopping 89th-minute winner to earn Bayern Munich a dramatic 2-1 win over German rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday after a thrilling Champions League final at London's Wembley Stadium.
Van Persie and Manchester United deliver further #tears4piers with present for Piers Morgan
GOAL.comThe striker has endured a campaign of abuse from the Arsenal-supporting former editor of the News of the World since moving to Old Trafford but hits back with a gift of his own