Tom Brady has followed the footsteps of the legendary Michael Jordan who took everyone by surprise when he decided to come out of retirement.

Back on March 18, 1995, the former Chicago Bulls star announced his return to action with a simple with a fax sent to reporters reading: "I'm back."

Almost 27 years later, Brady announced his unexpected comeback to re-join the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a short and succinct message on social media.

"These past two months I've realised my place is still on the field and not in the stands," wrote Brady.

"That time will come. But it's not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I'm coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG."

The meaning of the abbreviation LFG in Brady's tweet is 'Let's F***ing Go.'

Both players chose the same time of year to launch their messages, with Jordan doing it on a Saturday afternoon and Brady on a Sunday afternoon.

Jordan's agent David Falk revealed that he had sent his client several press release suggestions to choose from, but the NBA legend decided to do it on his own.

He sent the message to a few local Chicago publications and other national media such as ESPN, Associated Press, The New York Times or The Washington Post.

Brady's case was slightly different. Using his iPhone, the seven-time Super Bowl champion posted a message on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook that received more than 3.2 million likes in a very short time. While Jordan was away from the NBA courts for 528 days, Brady retired for only 40 days.