Juventus, where Charles once played, paid towards a hi-tech air ambulance to ensure that he arrived home safe and well.
He has now been transferred to a specialist hospital unit. Friend David Williams, 65, said he was relieved to be home. He said: "Doctors only made the decision late in the week that John was strong enough to travel.
"He was flown home on a specialist jet and he had a couple of doctors with him all the way to look after him.
"The people over here treat John like a football God and Juventus would have thought nothing of the cost to get him home," he added.
"But I know he has been really helped by all the messages of support from all his fans around the world."