Two years ago today Charlie Adam signed for Dundee – a day he will never forget.
Fast forward to the present and both parties are back where they started.
The Dee are in the Championship, desperate to win back their place in the top-flight, while Adam is without a playing contract.
But that’s not the full story…
Courier Sport takes a look at where Charlie Adam could be off to next.
Where it started
September 15, 2020, saw Dundee grab the headlines by landing the star midfielder on a two-year deal.
The former Scotland and Liverpool man was as delighted to be signing for his boyhood team as they were to have him at Dens Park. “This is my club,” he said upon his arrival
Never mind Rangers or Blackpool, where the Fintry lad had strong ties, signing for the Dark Blues meant the world to him.
Sadly 3 months ago mum was diagnosed with Bowel and liver cancer. After being taken into hospital 10 days ago mum passed away peacefully at home. RIP mum you were an incredible woman and I am going to miss you so much 💔 pic.twitter.com/eb13F2iOTH
— Charlie Adam (@Charlie26Adam) December 22, 2020
There were poignant reasons for his arrival too, even beyond the fulfilment of a footballing dream. His late mum Ellie had been diagnosed with cancer and moving to Dens allowed him to be closer to her in her final months.
While the start of the campaign didn’t go quite to plan, with a 6-2 defeat at the hands of eventual winners Hearts, Adam did play a key role in helping Dundee meet their key objective of reaching the Premiership.
He played in 26 games, scored seven goals and racked up 11 assists.
It was a fairy-tale season for the lifelong Dark Blue.
Tough second season
If Charlie Adam’s first season at Dundee was a dream come true, his second was something of a nightmare.
In total, he missed a third of the campaign through injury, the manager who brought him to the club was dismissed then, to top it off, Dundee were relegated from the top flight.
There were a couple of late positives for the midfielder in the form of two stunning goals against Dundee United and Hibs, which clearly meant a lot to him.
His tears and interaction with the fans after that goal-scoring display against Hibs at Dens marked the last time he would take to the pitch as a Dundee player.
Departure and what next?
Although Adam had expressed desire to stay with Dundee, the parting of ways was amicable.
He even offered words of support to current boss Gary Bowyer, with whom he had connections via Blackpool.
After leaving Dens, the 36-year-old expressed his desire to continue playing, insisting that he was still speaking with clubs and weighing up his options.
But with the season now well under way, Adam is still without a playing contract, so what does the future hold for him?
Two notable link-ups with English clubs in recent months could provide a clue.
In pre-season, he was given the opportunity to join West Ham to observe – and assist in – their coaching set up, including taking part in sessions when the Hammers visited St Andrews in June.
Adam has always made his intentions to move into coaching and management one day clear and, after finishing his stint with West Ham, he quickly joined up with Championship challengers Burnley.
The Dundonian has been working as part of the Clarets’ set up this season, assisting Under-21 coach Andy Farrell.
No permanent role has yet been confirmed but, with Vincent Kompany mixing up his backroom staff, Adam could be in prime position to kick start the next chapter of his career – and begin his longer-term journey towards being a manager in his own right.
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