Aaron Lennon has thanked Everton fans for their ‘incredible’ support as he returned to football.
Lennon was present for the start of the Blues’ pre-season preparations, little more than two months after he underwent treatment for a stress-related illness.
The winger was detained under the Mental Health Act by police at a Salford roadside on the same afternoon as his side’s Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Both Everton and Lennon’s former club Tottenham offered their support during the player’s absence while the respective fan bases also rallied around him.
In a message posted on his Twitter account, Lennon expressed his thanks for all the well-wishes that he received during his brief spell away from the game.
He said: “It’s great to be back after a difficult period. I’ve had a good first week of training and I can’t wait to kick on now.
“I want to thank all the staff and patients at The Priory in both Darlington and Altrincham and all the staff at Salford Royal Hospital.
“The support I’ve had from Everton, Spurs, their fans, football fans and concerned members of the general public has been incredible.
“It’s important to emphasise that there is amazing help out there and anyone feeling anything out of the ordinary should seek support because it is great and good to talk.
“Lastly, a special thanks to the staff at Everton, my team-mates, and especially my family and the people around me.”
Ronald Koeman hailed Lennon’s recovery on Monday and believes the former England international is well primed to resume his career during pre-season.
“I was really pleased to have Aaron back on the training pitch because everybody knows he had a difficult, hard time in the last few months of the season,” said the Everton manager.
“Everybody is really happy that Aaron is back.
“It’s a good time to start to get the fitness back, to start pre-season, and it’s really good.”