The midfielder more than 150 appearances for Dale before joining Tranmere in 2012, and returned for a loan spell in 2013.
The 27-year-old was released by Carlisle United at the end of the 2015-16 campaign.
Rochdale began 2016-17 with a 3-2 home defeat by Peterborough on Saturday.
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Joe Thompson has signed a six-month contract with League One side Rochdale, returning to the club with which he began his career.