Moroccan international Karim El Ahmadi has completed a move back to Feyenoord on a three-year deal having left the club for Aston Villa in 2012.

  • By David Lee Wheatley
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ahmedi jgThe combative midfielder failed to live up to expectations during a two-year stay at Villa Park and has settled on a switch back to Rotterdam in order to kick-start his career.

El Ahmadi started out with FC Twente before signing up with Feyenoord the first around, while also taking in a short loan spell with Al Ahli back in 2011.

Now 29, the Dutch-born star feels the time is right to return following 51 league appearances in a Villa shirt.

He explained: “I’ve always said I wanted to return to Feyenoord some time.

“That time has come. In my first period at this club Feyenoord was growing and that growth has continued in recent years.

“I’m really looking forward to playing in a full De Kuip again and sharing my experience with the other Feyenoord players.

“I’m also relishing teaming up again with Fred Rutten, who was very important for me at the start of my career at FC Twente.”

It’s believed the fee was in the region of £750,000 and he’ll go straight into the squad for the match against Willem II on September 13th.