Tom Brady has performed a U-turn over his retirement plans and will return for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next season.
The 44-year-old had previously announced that he was stepping away from the game after 22 seasons in the NFL.
But announcing his return on social media, he said he still had “unfinished business” despite the quarter-back having already won seven Super Bowls.
Announcing his career U-turn, he said: “These past two months I’ve realised my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come.
“But it’s not now. I love my teammates and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business.”
Coach Bruce Arians had previously hinted at a possible return for Brady recently by saying, “that door is never closed” despite the team searching for a replacement quarter-back to succeed their star man.
Brady joined the New England Patriots in 2000 and helped lead them to six Super Bowl titles before making the switch to the Bucs.
With his previously unfancied new team, he led them to Super Bowl glory last year being named Super Bowl MVP for a fifth time in the process.
Brady, who had been a guest of Manchester United and Bucs owners the Glazers to watch Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick against Tottenham at the weekend, had come close to guiding his team towards an unlikely play-off win against eventual champions Los Angeles Rams before his retirement.
