PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Aug 30 – Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky signed a two-year contract with Sparta Prague on Tuesday, returning to his first club following the end of his contract with Arsenal.
“I’m very happy to return to Sparta. I’ve never forgotten where I got my start,” the 35-year-old told reporters.
“I’d like to thank Arsenal for everything. They did an incredible job of taking care of me when I was injured,” he added about his 10-year stint with the London side.
The Czech Republic captain left Sparta in 2001 for Borussia Dortmund for 14.5 million euros ($16 million) — a record transfer sum for a Czech player — before joining Arsenal in 2006.
The veteran player dubbed “the little Mozart” has seen his star career hampered by a string of injuries.
Rosicky played only 19 minutes for Arsenal last season because of injuries plaguing him since a Euro qualifier in Iceland in June 2015.
A fresh hamstring injury at Euro 2016 then forced him to miss the rest of the tournament.