Abdoulaye Faye was delighted to be back for Hull City in their 1-0 win over West Ham United.
Faye made his first start of the season at centre-back and proved a point by keeping a clean sheet against his old club.
The 35-year-old was released by West Ham after helping them win promotion to the Premier League in 2012.
Faye said: "I was very disappointed when that happened. I played very well in a lot of games, but then, in the last few games, they took me out. I don't know why.
"After the season they explained they wanted to use younger players. I said, 'That's all right' and then I went on holiday, then Steve Bruce wanted me.
"I'm happy because I played for two years in the Championship and got promoted both times.
"This is my first game of the season, against my old team. I have a lot of friends, who I was happy to see. We won and kept a clean sheet. I'm very happy and proud.
"I have a good relationship with the coach and I did my best for West Ham. But when they went up, they said, 'We don't want you'.
"But Steve Bruce asked Sam what he thought of me and he told him I was good. He said I would help them get promoted and I did that."
