Antwan Russell has rejoined his former club, PHC Zebras, from Somerset Eagles just weeks after their coach Kenny Thompson quit White Hill Field to become football director at BAA Wanderers.

Rumours had been circulating in recent weeks that Thompson's departure would trigger a mini-exodus at the West End club with Keishen Bean also believed to have headed for the exit doors, returning to his boyhood club North Village.

Bermuda international Russell left PHC four years ago when he signed for Premier Division rivals Dandy Town where he played for three campaigns before linking up with Thompson at Eagles.

Last season Russell, a former Bermuda Hogges striker, helped Eagles reach the FA Cup final where they lost to Devonshire Cougars in a penalty shoot-out.

It is understood former Baltimore Blast trialist Aquino Grant has also left Eagles and will team-up with Russell at PHC.

Russell yesterday told The Royal Gazette that now would be as good a time as any to return home to the Zebras.

"A main reason for leaving was because the coach left as well as a few key players, so I thought it would be a good time to go back to where I started playing football," said Russell.

"It's always exciting to go back home, I had been part of their set-up for a long time so hopefully I'm back home for good."

While leaving Eagles was a tough decision, Russell admitted he would return to Zebras a better player than when he left and will look to remedy the team's problems in front of goal over the last few seasons.

"I've had some good experiences when I played with both Dandy Town and Somerset Eagles, it was a good learning process," said Russell, who will be hoping to be fit in time for the new season after getting injured in last season's FA Cup final.

"It's made me a better player, so going back I will have that much more experience and hopefully help them win the league title again.

"I never really left the club completely, I still kick with the players and see them on a regular basis, so it will be business as usual for me when I go back.

"I just hope I can be an asset to the team and get them back to where they need to be."

Another player believed to have moved on is Dion Stovell who has reportedly left Boulevard to go back to his old stomping ground at Somerset Trojans.