AS Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan thanked fans from Cagliari after his return on Sunday.

The Belgium international went back to his old club on Sunday for the first time since leaving for the capital in January.

"I left a piece of my heart here and will always be a Cagliari fan," he told Nuovo Sardegna.

"I'm glad that the fans greeted me with affection. I also heard some boos, but I expected some of that.

"At first I was very excited to come back, and it went well for me personally.

"I'm just sorry that my former teammates are going through such a difficult time at the moment.

"I'm sure they will come out of it stronger though."