Årst homeward bound

Norwegian striker Ole Martin Årst has left R. Standard de Liège and returned to former club Tromsø IL after six seasons in Belgium.

Considerable success
The 28-year-old had one year left of his contract with Standard and although he has been a considerable success in Belgium he was keen to return to his home town.

Fee agreed
Årst quickly agreed personal terms although it took the two clubs considerably longer to agree on a transfer fee of €800,000, a section of which will be paid by local investors and the club's main sponsor, Sparebanken Nord-Norge (a local bank).

Comeback date
Årst is due to make his comeback for Tromsø against Rosenborg BK on 20 July when the Tippeligaen resumes after its summer break. Tromsø regained their top-flight place last season, but are struggling in 13th place in the 14-team division after 12 games of the new season.

'Big pressure'
"I am aware that there will be big pressure on me, but I am used to that from Belgian football and can cope with that," Årst said. "I am really looking forward to playing for Tromsø again." Årst scored 61 goals in 112 matches for Standard and won the last of his two international caps in 2000. He will be presented to the media at a press conference at the Alfheim stadium tomorrow.