Fabrice Muamba returned to White Hart Lane for the first time since he suffered a cardiac arrest in March for Tottenham's Europa League tie with Maribor.
The former Bolton Wanderers midfielder was paraded at half-time and shed tears as his visit brought a sense of closure to an eight-month ordeal.
Muamba collapsed in the 41st minute of Bolton Wanderers' FA Cup quarter-final match at Spurs in March and his heart stopped beating independently for 78 minutes.
The match was abandoned with players, staff and fans reeling from the trauma as Muamba was taken to the London Chest Hospital.
Fabrice Muamba At White Hart Lane
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion during a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion as he is interviewed after a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion as he is interviewed after a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba waves to the crowd during a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba waves to the crowd during a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba waves to the crowd during a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba waves to the crowd during a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion after a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion after a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion after a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion during a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion during a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion during a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion during a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion during a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba waits before a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion after a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion as he is interviewed after a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion after a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion after a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
Tottenham Hotspur FC v NK Maribor - UEFA Europa League(21 of38)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Former Bolton Wanderers player, Fabrice Muamba makes an emotional return to White Hart Lane during the UEFA Europa League group J match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane on November 8, 2012 in London, England . (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Former footballer Fabrice Muamba shows emotion after a parade around the pitch at White Hart Lane (credit:PA)
Tottenham Hotspur FC v NK Maribor - UEFA Europa League(23 of38)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Former Bolton Wanderers player, Fabrice Muamba makes an emotional return to White Hart Lane during the UEFA Europa League group J match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane on November 8, 2012 in London, England . (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Retired Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba returns to the spot where he suffered a cardiac arrest last year gestures and acknowledges the supporters during half time, during a Europa League Group J football match between Tottenham Hotspur and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane in London, England, on November 8, 2012. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC v NK Maribor - UEFA Europa League(25 of38)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Former Bolton Wanderers player, Fabrice Muamba makes an emotional return to White Hart Lane during the UEFA Europa League group J match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane on November 8, 2012 in London, England . (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC v NK Maribor - UEFA Europa League(26 of38)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Former Bolton Wanderers player, Fabrice Muamba makes an emotional return to White Hart Lane during the UEFA Europa League group J match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane on November 8, 2012 in London, England . (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC v NK Maribor - UEFA Europa League(27 of38)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Former Bolton Wanderers player, Fabrice Muamba makes an emotional return to White Hart Lane during the UEFA Europa League group J match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane on November 8, 2012 in London, England . (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC v NK Maribor - UEFA Europa League(28 of38)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Former Bolton Wanderers player, Fabrice Muamba makes an emotional return to White Hart Lane during the UEFA Europa League group J match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane on November 8, 2012 in London, England . (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC v NK Maribor - UEFA Europa League(29 of38)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Former Bolton Wanderers player, Fabrice Muamba makes an emotional return to White Hart Lane during the UEFA Europa League group J match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane on November 8, 2012 in London, England . (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Retired Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba wipes his eyes as he returns to the spot where he suffered a cardiac arrest last year, during half time, during a Europa League Group J football match between Tottenham Hotspur and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane in London, England, on November 8, 2012. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC v NK Maribor - UEFA Europa League(31 of38)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Former Bolton Wanderers player, Fabrice Muamba makes an emotional return to White Hart Lane during the UEFA Europa League group J match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane on November 8, 2012 in London, England . (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Retired Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba returns to the spot where he suffered a cardiac arrest last year gestures and acknowledges the supporters during half time, during a Europa League Group J football match between Tottenham Hotspur and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane in London, England, on November 8, 2012. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC v NK Maribor - UEFA Europa League(33 of38)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Former Bolton Wanderers player, Fabrice Muamba makes an emotional return to White Hart Lane during the UEFA Europa League group J match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane on November 8, 2012 in London, England . (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC v NK Maribor - UEFA Europa League(34 of38)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Former Bolton Wanderers player, Fabrice Muamba makes an emotional return to White Hart Lane during the UEFA Europa League group J match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane on November 8, 2012 in London, England . (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Retired Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba returns to the spot where he suffered a cardiac arrest last year gestures and acknowledges the supporters during half time, during a Europa League Group J football match between Tottenham Hotspur and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane in London, England, on November 8, 2012. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Retired Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba returns to the spot where he suffered a cardiac arrest last year gestures and acknowledges the supporters during half time, during a Europa League Group J football match between Tottenham Hotspur and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane in London, England, on November 8, 2012. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Tottenham Hotspur FC v NK Maribor - UEFA Europa League(37 of38)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Former Bolton Wanderers player, Fabrice Muamba makes an emotional return to White Hart Lane during the UEFA Europa League group J match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane on November 8, 2012 in London, England . (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Retired Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba returns to the spot where he suffered a cardiac arrest last year and acknowledges the supporters during half time, during a Europa League Group J football match between Tottenham Hotspur and NK Maribor at White Hart Lane in London, England, on November 8, 2012. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cardiologist Andrew Deaner even leapt from his seat in the White Hart Lane crowd to aid Muamba.
Muamba, just 23 at the time, was discharged a month later to continue his recovery but was forced to retire from football in August on medical advice.
He expressed his gratitude to the Tottenham fans, who applauded him warmly.
"There are people out there who prayed for me. I want to thank the chairman, and to all the Spurs fans. I am grateful to them. They are awesome fans."
Tottenham defeated Maribor 3-1 courtesy of a Jermain Defoe hat-trick.