ROTTERDAM, Netherlands --
Former Netherlands forward Dirk Kuyt is returning to Feyenoord next season, aiming to end his professional playing days at the club that was a launching pad for nine years at Liverpool and Fenerbahce, the Rotterdam club announced Friday.
Kuyt signed a one-year contract with Feyenoord, which is currently third in the top-flight Eredivisie, but said his stay will likely be longer.
Kuyt grew into a favorite among Feyenoord's fanatical fans during his first stint with the club from 2003-2006, after transferring from Utrecht. He was the Eredivisie's top scorer in the 2004-2005 season and was named Dutch footballer of the year in 2006.
Kuyt retired from international football in October after finishing third with the Netherlands at last year's World Cup - a tournament where he underscored his versatility by playing on the wing and at left back. He made 104 appearances for the Netherlands and scored 24 goals. He also was part of the team that finished second in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, losing to Spain in the final.
The 34-year-old said now is a good time to return to Rotterdam as ''I'm fit and have a great drive to make a success of my time at De Kuip,'' Feyenoord's stadium.
Feyenoord director Martin van Geel said that although Kuyt signed only a one-year deal both he and the club intend his stay in Rotterdam to be longer.
''Dirk can keep going for years,'' Van Geel said. ''As far as he's concerned, he can become the Ryan Giggs of Feyenoord and we will add many more years. This will be music to the ears of all Feyenoord fans.''
