Denmark rejoices at Agger's Brøndby return

"The greatest thing ever in Danish club football," announced Flemming Toft, a leading football pundit on the Danish television station TV2, upon learning of Daniel Agger's surprise transfer back to Brøndby IF after eight years at Liverpool FC.

The debate about the greatest transfer in Danish football history will always be a subjective one. There was unbridled joy when Allan Simonsen returned home to Vejle BK in 1983, and when Preben Elkjær joined the same club five years later. Likewise, FC København brought back Brian Laudrup in 1999 and Jesper Grønkjær in 2006 to great acclaim.

Toft, though, was unequivocal. "The greatest ever. Nothing less, and beyond any doubt. Daniel Agger's return ticket from Liverpool is a boost to Brøndby, to the Superliga and to Agger. Now he is back in safe and secure surroundings that suit him, in the western suburbs of Copenhagen where he feels at home."

Naturally, Agger's return to the club where he developed and began his senior career has caused a sensation at Brøndby. "He is one of the best Danish players to have ever been brought home," explained coach Thomas Frank. "This is a player still at the peak of his career, a player who played fairly regularly in the team that finished second in the Premier League last season, and a player who captains the national team, so this is really cool."

Even though many people view Agger's move as a step – or even two steps – down the ladder, the 29-year-old central defender is also a happy man. "Ever since I left Brøndby in 2006, I have been dreaming of returning and pulling the yellow jersey over my head again. It is fantastic that this dream comes true now," he said.

At Jyllands-Posten, one of Denmark's largest newspapers, sports editor Christian Thye-Petersen called Agger's homecoming 'historic'. "It is a piece of Danish football history, nothing less. The captain of the national team enters the history books as one of the three greatest players who have ever played in the Superliga. Maybe even the best," he said, naming Laudrup and Grønkjær as the other two.

Ekstra Bladet sports editor Allan Olsen called Agger "a man to whom loyalty and club feeling really mean something", and added "there is every reason to salute his decision". Those sentiments were echoed by Denmark national coach Morten Olsen: "I think Liverpool are making a mistake by letting a top player go. That doesn't make sense to me. But huge congratulations to Brøndby. It is a gigantic surprise and a big coup for Brøndby and the Superliga."

One famous Dane was less than impressed with the news, however, though admittedly from a purely selfish viewpoint. "It annoys me a bit, but I understand his reasons," said tennis star Caroline Wozniacki, an ardent Liverpool fan.

All that remains now is for Agger to make his much-anticipated comeback. Having signed a contract with Brøndby until summer 2016, he is expected to contest his first game back at the club against Randers FC next Sunday.