Tuesday 3 February 2015 14:15, UK
Tim Cahill has left New York Red Bulls and joined Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua after turning down an offer to rejoin David Moyes at Real Sociedad.
Real manager Moyes - Cahill's old boss at Goodison Park - offered the midfielder the chance move to La Liga but the 35-year-old felt the move to China appealed more at this stage of his career.
Talk was rife that Cahill, who left Everton in 2012 after making 255 appearances and scoring 68 goals in eight years, might return to Goodison Park, and the Australian revealed there had been contact between himself and Everton chairman Bill Kenwright before he decided to join Shanghai Shenhua.
Cahill told Fox Sports: "Basically I spent most of the morning on the phone to the boys: I spoke to (former NY team-mate) Thierry Henry via text and Bill Kenwright at Everton and (Australia coach) Ange Postecoglou. Spoke to Moyes about possibly going to La Liga.
Because I've done the Premier League, because I've done America... China is a growing market for football. I'm at an age when I want to give back to football and still play at a high level.
"Because I've done the Premier League, because I've done America... China is a growing market for football. I'm at an age when I want to give back to football and still play at a high level.
"I've taken a lot of good advice... I think it's exciting to still be in demand."
The Australia international, who recently scored a stunning overhead kick on the way to his country’s Asia Cup triumph on home soil, was a star performer in the Premier League during an eight-year stay at Everton.
He joined the Toffees from Millwall in 2004 and scored 68 goals in over 250 appearances for the club.
Cahill then moved Red Bulls on a free transfer in 2012 and scored 14 goals in 62 MLS games.
On leaving New York, Cahill told the Red Bulls website: "I've enjoyed every moment of my time at the Red Bulls and leave with great memories.
"I joined with the ambition of helping to grow and positively affect soccer in the US and I feel immensely proud of what we achieved as a team during my time in the MLS.
"Winning the Supporter's Shield was without doubt one of the best moments I have experienced in my career and I am now looking forward to my next chapter, of which I will announce in due course."
