Perth soccer player Danny Hodgson has made a return to his club, saying he feels "great," the day after being discharged after more than six months in hospital.
Mr Hodgson, 26, sustained critical injuries when he was punched in an unprovoked attack near the city train station on September 5 last year.
He was released from hospital on Friday, the same day his 17-year-old attacker was sentenced to three years and eight months in juvenile detention.
Mr Hodgson arrived to cheers and applause to watch his club ECU Joondalup SC, now known as Perth RedStar FC, play its first home game of the season.
"I appreciate everyone's messages and it's been a hard time, but it's been worth it.
"I haven't seen [my mates] in six months, so it's great to see everyone again."
Perth RedStar FC general manager Simon Hicks said the club was thrilled to have Mr Hodgson attend the game.
"It's a really emotional moment for the whole club.
"It's very special. I think that we've already won in that Danny's here. That's the real feeling … the real win is Danny being here," he said.
Mr Hodgson, who arrived in a wheelchair, will continue his rehabilitation at home after learning to walk again while in hospital.
"We're just trying to look at all the positives from this story and the way the football community has really come together," Mr Hicks said.
"The fact that he's now starting to walk, that's such a fantastic story for us, and we're really, really thrilled."
On Friday, the Perth Children's Court heard Mr Hodgson was likely to have long-term disabilities.
His mother, Nicola Hodgson, said his rehabilitation from home would be "gruelling but worth it".
