The 36-year-old winger joined FC Groningen in the Netherlands Eredivisie, 20 years after making his debut with the team based in the north of the country.
He was born in Bedum, a stone's throw from Groningen, before getting married in Groningen in 2007.
Robben had quit smoking at the end of last season after a successful career winning championships with Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Real Madrid and the Champions League.
He won 96 caps for the Netherlands, helping "Oranje" reach the 2010 World Cup final against Spain. However, he was heartbroken in the final, as Spain won 1-0 in overtime after Robben missed a wonderful opportunity in the second period.
"After a wonderful 18-year adventure, we are coming home," said Robben in a video message posted on the Groningen website. "Return to Groningen. Go home in this difficult period of crisis, one that also strikes FC Groningen."
When the top Dutch division was abandoned in April with no title or relegation due to the coronavirus, Groningen finished ninth.
A lack of football hit the teams hard.
In an effort to help, former Groningen defender Virgil van Dijk - who just won the Premier League with Liverpool - last month bought four subscriptions and intended to draw them from supporters who may not have couldn't afford it otherwise.
Groningen fans started an online auction last week, with shoes from van Dijk and Robben also up for grabs.
'Follow your heart'
"It's great to see how everyone supports the club," said Robben. "I also supported the club and it made me think about what else I could do for our club. I have had many conversations with club staff.
"And perhaps more than anything I've heard from our supporters: 'Arjen, follow your heart.'
"A comeback as a FC Groningen player ... I started playing with this idea and now I have made it my mission. I want to make my comeback as a football player, a FC Groningen player.
"Right now, I'm not sure it will happen," added Robben, who has suffered his share of injuries.
"What I'm sure is that my training will be 100%. It will be a tough physical challenge, but I'm going. I'm going to work hard and when all is well, I'm going to join the team for the first formation of the new season.
"I hope to see everyone as soon as possible because my dream is to play in a FC Groningen jersey. We are not there yet but we can dream."
During the Eredivisie closure, the four major European football leagues - the Premier League, La Liga, the Bundesliga and Serie A - all resumed behind closed doors.
Former Robben club Bayern Munich won their eighth consecutive league title earlier in June and managed to hoist the trophy on the last day of the Bundesliga season on Saturday.
