Emotional homecoming as former Liverpool star makes triumphant return

Former Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri has made a triumphant return to his former club after a challenging period following his departure from Anfield in 2021.

The Swiss winger spent three seasons on Merseyside after joining the Reds from Stoke City in the summer of 2018 and was a part of the squad that won the 2019/20 Premier League, plus the Champions League 12 months earlier. 

While he was largely a squad player under Jurgen Klopp, Shaqiri netted eight goals in 63 appearances before joining French side Lyon in 2021. But after playing just 16 times for the French side, Shaqiri left for Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire in 2022. 

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The 32-year-old struggled to meet expectations in the US, as injuries and poor form meant he was unable to make an impact before his contract was mutually terminated earlier this month.

Shaqiri will now look to get his club career back on track with Basel, his boyhood team, where he started his career. Before his 2012 exit to Bayern Munich, Shaqiri won three Swiss Super League titles and two Swiss Cups and he will hope to again inspire a side that finished eighth in the league last season.

"It fills me with pride and I am very happy that I can return to my hometown of FCB (Basel) today," said Shaqiri. "I have had a deep connection with the club and the region since I was a child, as a fan and of course as a player.

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"I completed my football training in Basel and was then able to launch my international career. Now I want to attack again with FCB and I can hardly wait to see our fans again in the Joggeli [Basel's stadium, St Jakob-Park].”

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