Toby Alderweireld returns to Europe with hometown club Royal Antwerp
By Sean Walsh
Former Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld has completed a move to hometown club Royal Antwerp.
The Belgium international left Spurs in the summer of 2021 for Qatari side Al-Duhail, going on to make 29 appearances for them and lifting the Emir of Qatar Cup.
But his spell in the Middle East has come to an end after completing a move to Belgian club Royal Antwerp.
Alderweireld has never played domestic football in his home country after leaving Germinal Beerschot - who were also based in Antwerp - as a teenager, joining Ajax's youth academy.
The centre-back missed out on the chance to play against Antwerp for the first time in 2020 when Spurs drew them in the group stage of the Europa League, being left out of the travelling matchday squad by then head coach Jose Mourinho. Tottenham went on to lose 1-0.
Alderweireld has signalled his intent to play back home in Belgium in the past and has a tattoo of Antwerp's cathedral on his arm.
He remains in contention for a place in Belgium's squad for the 2022 World Cup and is third on the Red Devils' all-time leading appearance makers for the men's side.