Samba joins Pienaar, Defoe and Rustu in FC Boomerang line-up

For whatever reason some transfers just don’t work out and within a season or two a player is back at the club that they initially left, making the move in a way a glorified loan.

This could be the hunt for greater silverware, more first-team opportunities or a general change of surroundings.

Chris Samba is the latest to join this particular list as reports suggest that a fee has been agreed for the defender to return to Anzhi after a failed spell in helping QPR avoid relegation.

However, he is far from the first to return home and here is a complete XI of players that would be worthy additions to FC Boomerang.

Rustu Recber: Fenerbahce-Barcelona-Fenerbahce

Rustu turned down the likes of Arsenal after deciding to leave Fenerbahce on a free transfer after nine seasons of service, but things quickly went south after concerns over his Spanish speaking skills caused him to miss the opening day of the 2003/04 season.

He managed only four first-team games under Frank Rijkaard before heading back to Turkey.

Pascal Chimbonda: Tottenham-Sunderland-Tottenham

After two promising years at Spurs, Chimbonda headed to the Stadium of Light to rejoin former teammates Steed Malbranque and Teemu Tainio.

But after 13 games he was back in London, reportedly for the same fee that he had previously left for.

Dmytro Chygrynsky: Shakhtar-Barcelona-Shakhtar

Chygrynsky didn’t come cheap at approximately €25m, but he failed to adapt to Barcelona’s specific playing style, seemingly lacking in pace, showing some discomfort in possession and weakness in a positional sense.

He never truly settled and returned to Shakhtar after a single season, netting the Ukrainians €10m in profit in the process.

Chris Samba: Anzhi-QPR-Anzhi

QPR have worked wonders to reportedly recoup the £12m outlay on Samba, who could have been a saviour at Loftus Road, but in the end he drew more criticism than acclaim.

It was a transfer that should have resulted in the phrase that QPR rolled the dice and lost, instead it now seems they rolled a double and have earned another go.

Julian Dicks: West Ham-Liverpool-West Ham

After helping West Ham reach the Premier League, Graeme Souness opted to swap two players to bring penalty-specialist Dicks to Liverpool, but the move only lasted one season.

Nolberto Solano: Newcastle- Aston Villa-Newcastle

A strained relationship with Bobby Robson was touted as the reason for the Premier League’s first Peruvian departing Newcastle and he was a big hit at Villa when winning their players’ and supporters’ player of the year accolade.

However, he was soon back at Newcastle in a deal that saw James Milner move the other way, with Alan Shearer said to be particularly keen to have him back.

Barry Ferguson: Rangers-Blackburn-Rangers

Technically Ferguson left Ibrox for 18 months after guiding the club to a domestic treble, but was itching to return as he felt that games at Blackburn were not bringing the same excitement as he had previously felt at Rangers.

Steven Pienaar: Everton-Tottenham-Everton

It seems to be a case of good club, club bad club for Pienaar. He was a key component at Ajax before never truly making an impact at Borussia Dortmund. He then starred at Everton before struggling for opportunities at Tottenham.

A switch back to Everton has allowed him to rediscover his form.

Jermain Defoe: Tottenham-Portsmouth-Tottenham

Having struggled for starts competing with the likes of Mido and Darren Bent, Defoe proved his capabilities at Portsmouth before Tottenham realised their mistake and wanted their striker back.

He has enjoyed a better goals-per-game ratio since returning.

Duncan Ferguson: Everton-Newcastle-Everton

Ferguson’s sale to Newcastle was a controversial one to start with, as it was done by chairman Peter Johnson without the knowledge of manager Walter Smith.

But injuries hindered Ferguson at Newcastle, allowing Everton to bring one of their favourite sons back.

Robbie Keane: Tottenham-Liverpool-Tottenham

Keane relished the chance to join Liverpool, the club he supported as a boy, but being played out of position and being regularly substituted or dropped prevented him from gaining consistency and showcasing his best.

He was soon back at Tottenham for a reduced fee and given the role of vice captain.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.