Hero Indian Super League holders Chennaiyin FC returned to Chennai following their pre-season tour of Malaysia and Goa, welcomed by the fans in numbers at the airport here this evening.

The defending Hero ISL champions arrived to a hero's welcome, with the fans showing up with banners and placards to mark their homecoming.Chennaiyin FC Head Coach John Gregory was delighted by the reception his team received from the fans. "The love and adulation we get from our fantastic fans is what motivates us the most. It is so heartening to see them show up in numbers to welcome us home. Their unconditional support never ceases to amaze us. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of them."

The Chennaiyin FC senior squad then made way to their brand new home at the club's new first-team base at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research.

Chennaiyin FC kick off their Hero ISL title defence with a rematch of last season's final, against Bengaluru FC away from home on Sunday September 30.