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Tottenham fans were in raptures on Tuesday night over the return of Jermain Defoe to White Hart Lane.

But as these examples show, it is not always a good idea to go back...

Juergen Klinsmann - Tottenham

Back in 1994 when the Premier League was in the shadow of Spain and Italy, Klinsmann was possibly the division's biggest ever signing. He played superbly, scored 21 goals and promptly scarpered for Bayern Munich - prompting Alan Sugar to say he wouldn't wash his car with Klinsmann's shirts. It was all smiles when he came back in 1997 aged 33, but it probably shouldn't have been. Although Klinsi bagged nine goals, the whole thing smacked of a self-serving farewell tour, and he spent more time exchanging applause with opposing fans than exerting himself on the pitch.

Robbie Fowler - Liverpool

Fowler was once the deadliest finisher in English football, piling up ludicrous goal totals including 28 in an electrifying 1995/96 league campaign. But Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier fell out of love with him and sold the heartbroken 'God' to Leeds in 2001. When Rafa Benitez offered him the chance to return in 2006, he signed on without even discussing wages. But Fowler was leaden-footed, injury-prone and frankly past it, and was quietly offloaded to Cardiff after just eight goals in 30 appearances.

Kevin Keegan - Newcastle (manager)

Like all good Messiahs, the Geordie one had a second coming when he was talked into returning to St James' Park by Mike Ashley in 2008. While his first spell was characterised by goals and breathless excitement, his second was filled with acrimony, bitterness and Dennis Wise. Too honourable for his own good, Keegan could not get to grips with the behind-the-scenes wranglings and left Newcastle a disillusioned man. Again.

Juninho - Middlesbrough

Everybody loved Juninho during his first incarnation when, along with Fabrizio Ravanelli, he briefly made Teesside one of English football's hottest destinations and produced some spellbinding performances. He secured iconic status with his tears after a tumultuous 1996/97 season in which Boro lost two cup finals and were relegated. The Juninho that returned in 2002 lacked the sparkle of yesteryear - although he did say that the 2004 League Cup meant more to him than winning the World Cup.

Kenny Miller - Rangers

Old Firm rivalries being what they are, few players have crossed the divide from one Glasgow giant to the other, and even fewer players have gone back again. Things have gone alright on the pitch for Miller since his return to Ibrox after a spell with Celtic in 2006/07 - seven goals in 16 games including two against the Hoops - Miller is not the most popular man among the Rangers faithful, although fans have at least stopped booing him at home games. Progress of a sort.

Christian Vieri - Atalanta

The much-travelled Italian veteran has 13 former clubs so it was only a matter of time until he signed for one of them. Vieri actually had two spells at Atalanta before he returned for a third stint in summer 2008. He was met with angry protests and jeered by fans who were angry that he had celebrated a goal for Fiorentina - scored against Atalanta in 2007 - with what they deemed excessive delight. "I didn't expect a reaction like this from the fans, they exaggerated things," said Vieri.

Alex Chick / Eurosport