Former Dutch international Marc Overmars has said he will return to professional football four years after he retired, Dutch newspaper Stentor reported on its website (www.destentor.nl) on Sunday.

The 35-year-old winger was quoted as saying he will play this season for Dutch second division club Go Ahead Eagles Deventer, where he started his professional career in 1990-91.

Overmars, whose career included spells at Ajax Amsterdam, Arsenal and Barcelona before it ended in 2004 after a knee injury, said: "The main reason for my comeback is to help the club, but I also want to play again."

Overmars, who has been a Deventer board member for technical affairs since 2005, impressed during a testimonial match for defender Jaap Stam in Zwolle two weeks ago.

"That was also surprising for me, that is was so easy and that I still have my pace," said the winger, was has 86 caps and who scored 17 goals for the Netherlands.

"I retired four years ago and since then I train only once a week. But willpower helps a lot."