Fenerbahce vs Feyenoord Rotterdam - Kuyt is looking forward to Fenerbahce clash

Posted Thursday, September 29, 2016 by PA

Feyenoord captain Dirk Kuyt is relishing a return to his former club when he leads his side against Fenerbahce in the Europa League Group A game on Thursday.

The 36-year-old joined Turkish side Fener after six years at Liverpool but left the Super Lig club in 2015 to rejoin Feyenoord.

The Dutch club currently top group A after their 1-0 win over Manchester United.

Speaking to UEFA.com, Kuyt said: "When I decided to leave Liverpool there were a lot of clubs in Europe I could have gone to, but I wanted to go to a club that was ambitious - and then Fenerbahce came along.

"I had such a great time there, my family as well.

"The people really looked after me, and I was very successful.

"We won the cup, we won the league and we did well in Europe - for the first time in the history of the club we reached (a major European semi-final, in the 2012/13 UEFA Europa League).

"It's great to see how passionately the fans experienced that European adventure, that's how it should be."

Kuyt left Feyenoord for Liverpool in 2006 but went back to the club in 2015 and the striker believes the Dutch club is his home.

"I had three fantastic years in my first period here," Kuyt said.

"And I always said, maybe a bit too loud, that I would love to return here some day.

"I felt I still had a job to do here at this club, which has always been in my heart. I have four children, and the boys especially are crazy about Feyenoord.

"Feyenoord are part of our family, and that's always been so. I also didn't win any trophies with Feyenoord the first time, and I really wanted that, so I'm happy we've won the Dutch Cup now."

Fenerbahce striker Robin van Persie has hinted he could return to the Premier League in the future.

Van Persie joined the Turkish side in 2015 from Manchester United after he fell out of favour during Louis van Gaal's reign and is contracted until 2018.

However, the Dutch striker, who spent eight years at Arsenal, admitted he is taking his career as it comes and that could involve a return to England.

"We've moved around in recent years and that suits me very well," he said.

"Over the years I have seen that you cannot really plan your career. You have to take it as it comes. There are all kinds of things in your path and you accept it or not.

"That's how I will approach the last few years. I'm open to everything. I've been away from the Netherlands for 13 years and that suits me fine. Whether it's in England, Turkey or wherever.

"The kids are involved. They are even more English than Dutch because they grew up there. There comes a time when they also get a bigger say in where they'd like to live and be."