By Soccernet staff
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May 20, 2010
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Former Germany and Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has made
a surprise return to football as a player-coach with Milton Keynes
Dons.
GettyImages
Dietmar Hamann's previous appearance came in January
2009
Hamann, 36, has not been attached to a club since he left
Manchester City at the end of the 2008-09 season but has
unexpectedly signed a one-year contract with the League One
side.
He rejected a move to League Two Notts County at the start of
last season despite overtures from then-director of football
Sven-Goran Eriksson, saying he felt he could still play at a
"higher level". However, he remained a free agent throughout the
season.
The Dons have described the deal as a "coup" on their website
and in Hamann have recruited a player with extensive experience at
the elite level.
After twice winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, Hamann
joined Newcastle and then Liverpool as he carved out a successful
career in the Premier League.
Coming on at half-time, he starred in Liverpool's stunning
comeback to beat AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final and
won 59 caps for his country, appearing at the 1998 and 2002 World
Cups and the 2000 and 2004 European Championships.
After leaving Liverpool in 2006, and spending the briefest of
spells with Bolton, Hamann enjoyed a three-year spell at Manchester
City.
