Ex-England star Dele Alli set to make return to football – two years after last game

Dele Alli is set to make a sensational return to football – just under two years after the former Tottenham and England star’s last match.

The 28-year-old became a free agent last summer upon the expiry of his Everton contract though he did continue to train with the Toffees as he looked to rebuild his career after a difficult few years on and off the pitch.

Once regarded as one of the best young players in the world, Dele enjoyed great success at Spurs from 2015 to 2019, recording 67 goals and 57 assists in 269 appearances during his time at the club.

He was twice named PFA Young Player of the Year, started the Champions League final in 2019 and was part of the England squad that finished fourth at the 2018 World Cup.

However, injury issues began to affect his form and ill-fated transfers to Everton and Besiktas failed to revive his fortunes, with his last professional game coming for the Turkish side in February 2023.

Soon after, in a highly-emotional interview with Gary Neville, Dele revealed that he has spent six weeks in rehab for mental health issues and a sleeping pill addiction.

He also opened up on his difficult upbringing, revealing he had been sexually abused when he was six-years-old by a family friend.

In April last year, Dele stated his intention to revive his career, with the bold aim of making the Three Lions squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

In December, he had left Goodison Park for good and began training with Italian team Como, managed and co-owned by Arsenal and Chelsea hero Cesc Fabregas.

And it seems the Serie A side like what they’ve seen from the attacking midfielder, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Dele will sign a professional contract with Como.

An announcement is expected on Sunday, with his deal running to the summer of 2026, with an option for another year depending on ‘appearances or availability’.

‘He is training with us, but has not played a competitive match in a long time,’ Fabregas recently said when asked about whether Dele would sign for Como.

‘He is just breathing in the atmosphere of being part of a team again. He worked a bit with the group in Marbella, it was the club’s request that he come with us. We’ll see.

‘I see him in the same role as Nico Paz, who is a very important player for us. We are here to help him and hope he can get back to being the player he once was.’

Como won promotion to Serie A last season and currently sit 16th in the table, a point off the relegation zone.

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