Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has brought Jermain Defoe back to White Hart Lane for £15 million, just 12 months after taking him to Portsmouth for £7.5 million.
The England striker had left Spurs a year ago in search of regular first-team football with Pompey.
However, Defoe admitted he'd never wanted to leave White Hart Lane last January. Spurs fans didn't want him to go either, and continued to chant his name for the past year.
When he was paraded before Tuesday's 4-1 victory over Burnley in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final, he was greeted with rousing cheers.
Defoe, who scored 64 goals in 177 matches in five seasons for Spurs in his first stint, said: "It's great to be back and I'm looking forward to getting out there and doing everything I can for the team.
"I never wanted to leave in the first place. But I felt I had to go for the sake of my career.
"How I feel is so hard to put into words. Everyone knows the Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was a major factor because he signed me when he was in charge at Portsmouth.
"I couldn't believe the reception I got when I walked out on the pitch before the match against Burnley.
"I feel at home, my family still live in London and I've a house here."
Former Tottenham striker Les Ferdinand, who now coaches at the club, said: "It's harsh on Portsmouth to lose such a talent but J is back home where he belongs."
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The England striker had left Spurs a year ago in search of regular first-team football with Pompey.
However, Defoe admitted he'd never wanted to leave White Hart Lane last January. Spurs fans didn't want him to go either, and continued to chant his name for the past year.
When he was paraded before Tuesday's 4-1 victory over Burnley in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final, he was greeted with rousing cheers.
Defoe, who scored 64 goals in 177 matches in five seasons for Spurs in his first stint, said: "It's great to be back and I'm looking forward to getting out there and doing everything I can for the team.
"I never wanted to leave in the first place. But I felt I had to go for the sake of my career.
"How I feel is so hard to put into words. Everyone knows the Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was a major factor because he signed me when he was in charge at Portsmouth.
"I couldn't believe the reception I got when I walked out on the pitch before the match against Burnley.
"I feel at home, my family still live in London and I've a house here."
Former Tottenham striker Les Ferdinand, who now coaches at the club, said: "It's harsh on Portsmouth to lose such a talent but J is back home where he belongs."
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