Former Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky rejoins boyhood club Sparta Prague
Former Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky has rejoined his boyhood club Sparta Prague.
Rosicky departed the Emirates last summer after 10 years at Arsenal to a guard of honour from his team-mates, many of whom wore No.7 shirts to commemorate their former colleague.
Arsene Wenger gave Rosicky permission to continue training with Arsenal as he looked to maintain fitness ahead of the new season but “the little Mozart” will now return to his homeland in what is likely to be the final move of his career.
The Czech international, 35, came through the Sparta youth academy before making his debut in 1998, following in the footsteps of his father Jiri Rosicky, who spent over a decade at the club in the 1960s and 1970s.
The players are out - and are wearing 'Rosicky 7' shirts. Watch the lap of appreciation LIVE https://t.co/8ngvs5jbvb https://t.co/jwSqMcODT3
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) May 15, 2016
Posting on their official website Sparta made plain how delighted they were to be reunited with Rosicky, who has signed a two year deal: “It finally happened!
“Tomáš Rosický returns to his club after successful spells in Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal!
“‘Rosa’ joined the team on Tuesday afternoon, after speaking to media and trained with his new teammates for the first time.”
Speaking at a press conference Rosicky said: “I'm not coming here just to play. I'm coming here to win.
“I'm starting to train with the team now, which is what I need right now.”
Rosicky made 247 appearances for Arsenal between 2006 and 2016 but too often his promise was curtailed by injuries.
He missed the entire 2008-09 season with a damaged hamstring tendon whilst Rosicky’s final match for the club ended in distressing circumstances, the midfielder limping off after picking up a thigh injury moments into his comeback from another serious blow.