Former Stoke City and FC Porto defender returns to action with AZ Alkmaar after missing an entire season due to injury

AZ Alkmaar defender Bruno Martins Indi was finally able to return to the pitch on Sunday, playing for 20 minutes in his side’s 3-0 win over PEC Zwolle. The 31-year-old centre-back has missed an entire year’s worth of football due to a thigh problem, but finally, the former Feyenoord, FC Porto and Stoke City defender is back in action.

Speaking to ESPN after the game on Sunday afternoon, Bruno Martins Indi said that his time away from football ‘wasn’t easy but we’re here now’. The 36-time Netherlands international also expressed his delight to be back with AZ Alkmaar.

Martins Indi kicked off his career with Feyenoord, where he featured 114 times between 2010 and 2014. He then completed a move to FC Porto, before signing for Stoke City in 2016. The English side signed the Dutchman for over €10m. In 2020 he returned to the Netherlands, where injuries have been a big problem since his return. 

Now, he’s back with AZ, who have kicked off the new Eredivisie campaign in super style. They’re currently second after winning all of their first five games.

GBeNeFN | Hugo Hargreaves

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