Saturday 18 October 2014 12:48, UK
Gareth Barry claims he rejected several other Premier League clubs and foreign sides before joining Everton on a permanent basis this summer.
The 33-year-old enjoyed a successful spell on loan at Everton last season and a number of clubs expressed an interest in him when his contract at Manchester City expired in the summer.
However, Barry ended up signing a three-year deal at Goodison Parkafter being talked out of making a move to America.
“America was an option and there was a conversation about it but when I spoke to the coaches here they said, ‘If you are going there, you are retiring’,” Barry told the Daily Telegraph.
There was interest from three or four Premier League teams and a couple from abroad but I was happy here. While I could still play in the Premier League I really did not want to go abroad. I was not thinking about winding down my career.
“That was in my head. Obviously I did not agree it was retiring but I sort of agreed it would have been going to a league that is up and coming and not as big as the Premier League, so I could see their point.
"There was a massive case for going there and experiencing it, and I spoke about it with my family – the idea of adapting to a different culture and going through another learning curve was appealing.
“I am sure I would have enjoyed it and there was a strong argument to go, but with the season we had at Everton last year I decided I was not ready to move and the club offered me a three-year contract which showed the faith they had in me.
“There was interest from three or four Premier League teams and a couple from abroad but I was happy here. While I could still play in the Premier League I really did not want to go abroad. I was not thinking about winding down my career.”
Barry also feels he still has a lot to offer on the international stage with England despite being continually overlooked by Roy Hodgson.
"I have not retired from international football because it has always been my dream to play for my country,” added Barry. “It’s good to see so many young players in the squad, but that is not to say you feel you still cannot do a job.
"I’m not hung up on it now. The manager made his decision and I was overlooked. That is football. It is opinions. I had my time in the England shirt and won a lot of caps.
“I still feel I could do a job, it’s just that time has moved on and others are getting their chances."
