"I always thought I'd come back some day." That was Jamie Allen's line to BBC Sport after Rochdale confirmed he has signed a short-term deal following a pre-season training spell with the club. The 31-year-old is back where he started his career, after more than 150 appearances before he left in 2017.
Rochdale's homecoming move
Allen's own account is the neatest way to read this move. He said the club has been a huge part of his life, described the summer as weird, and explained that he reached out to Rochdale in pre-season to train and keep fit, which he has enjoyed.
There is also a football side to this beyond sentiment. His most recent outing brought 69 minutes and a 6.6 rating, while the recent five-match window gives him some match time rather than a cold restart.
The route back from Coventry
After leaving Rochdale in 2017, Allen spent seven seasons at Coventry. He won two promotions there and played in the Championship play-off final in 2023.
He made the last of his 200 appearances for Coventry in their final league game of last season before being released in the summer. Allen also said he has a good relationship with the manager and was thankful for the deal at the end of it. The return is short-term, but it gives Rochdale an experienced midfielder who already knows the club and the setting.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
