A newly-crowed champion of the German top flight, the Bundesliga, made an emotional return to where it all started in Stevenage - much to the delight of hundreds of star-struck youngsters.

Nathan Tella began what has already been a stellar career at Bedwell Rangers, and he hasn't forgot what the club means to him.

And the 24-year-old, who played for Southampton and Burnley before heading into mainland Europe, was more than happy to pass on some star power to the current crop of excited young footballers.

A message on the club's Facebook page read: "What a fantastic evening.

"Fresh from winning the German league and cup double for Bayer 04 Leverkusen in a season where they were unbeaten domestically, Nathan Tella came home to visit his grassroots football team.

"What an inspirational role model he proved to be as well, staying for all four sessions and taking questions and signing autographs for over 250 of our players, ranging from U6 all the way up to our U17s."

For more information on the Bedwell club, go to www.bedwellrangersfc.com