Tim Cahill has revealed that he feels moving back to Australia would have been a step backwards in his career.
The 32-year old attacking midfielder this week completed his move from Everton to New York Red Bull, opting against a premature shift to the A-League.
Cahill suggests that a move to the domestic competition of his home country would have been slightly negative for him at this stage of his career with the MLS at a level which will still certainly challenge him.
"It's simple. This is a massive move for me. Moving to the A League, in all fairness, would have been a step backwards," Cahill said.
"And that's no disrespect. It's basically, I want to still play at a high level.
"There's still another World Cup for me to play in and qualify for the Australian team, and this is a massive opportunity.
"I didn't speak to any A-League clubs and it was never in my plans. The one thing I do in Australia is create pathways for kids to follow their dreams with my soccer clinics, and I make sure that they know that if a kid like me can make it then they have opportunities.
"I think I'm more interested in the grassroots level of football in Australia and not playing there."
