Clint Dempsey has rejoined Fulham on a two-month loan deal from Seattle Sounders as Rene Meulensteen’s first signing as head coach at Craven Cottage.
The 30 year-old midfielder watched Saturday’s dramatic 4-2 defeat to Manchester City from the Riverside Stand directors’ box and completed his medical last week. The American international’s move has been lauded as ‘a great opportunity’ by his national team coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, as Dempsey bids to maintain match fitness ahead of this summer’s World Cup during the Major League Soccer off-season.
Dempsey needs no introduction to Fulham fans, having scored 60 goals in 225 appearances in his five-and-a-half year spell at Craven Cottage. Having signed from the New England Revolution in January 2007, Dempsey made a habit of scoring crucial goals for the Whites – with his first for the club against Liverpool having them avoid relegation in the 2006-07. The Texan’s most special goal, though, came in the 4-1 second leg Europa League quarter-final against Juventus.
Dempsey left Fulham in acrimonious circumstances last August, joining Tottenham on the final day of the transfer window, with then manager Martin Jol claiming that he had refused to play for the club. Dempsey’s spell at White Hart Lane was brief – and he jumped at the chance to return to the Cottage.
It feels good to be back. This has always felt like my home in Europe – and I’m excited to be back and be a part of this team and play in this league. I wanted to get back to playing at the highest level, get back to top form, getting back and helping the team in the situation where they are not were they want to be in the table.
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