Baird returns to Fulham on loan

Chris Baird has returned to Fulham on loan for the rest of the season from Derby.

Baird, 33, made 165 appearances in a six-year spell at Craven Cottage, during which he became a fans’ favourite.

The Northern Ireland international, who was a solid performer in defence and midfield for the Whites, moved to Reading in 2013 and had short spells at Burnley and West Brom before joining Derby last summer.

He trained with QPR after being released by Fulham but rejected a contract offer from them before eventually signing for Reading.

“When the opportunity arose I had no doubt in my mind that I wanted to come and be part of this again,” Baird told Fulham’s website.

“I’m looking forward to playing in front of the fans again. They were fantastic to me over the six years that I was here previously.”