Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has distanced himself from speculation linking him with a move back to the MLS this summer.
The 35-year-old caught the imagination of American fans and pundits with a series of eye-catching displays for the United States at last year’s World Cup.
Howard’s heroics were not enough to prevent his side bowing out of the competition at the last-16 stage in Brazil, but they did earn him a phone call from President Barack Obama and ever since he has persistently been linked with a move back to his home country.
But the former Manchester United and MetroStars keeper has now stressed he is happy on Merseyside and in no rush to see out the rest of his playing career anywhere else.
“There seems to be a lot getting said about my return and two weeks ago some things popped up on Twitter and I was getting all sorts of phone calls,” he told radio station SiriusXM FC.
“I had to call my agent to find out what was going on because I didn’t know anything about it and nor did he.
“I’ve got three years left at Everton and at the end of that I want to be done playing so what happens in between that I have no idea. It is a business, but I’m happy where I am. I don’t know anything about those rumors, I have to be honest.”
For now Howard, who has only just returned to full fitness following eight weeks out with a calf injury, is fully focused on helping the Toffees in what has been a disappointing campaign so far.
He came straight back into the starting line-up for the 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge last week and, despite the loss, revealed he was pleased to be back and felt his side played well.
“I was a disaster with the injuries, ask our physios, I was itching to get back and I felt every week I could play and they were pulling on the reins which I appreciate them doing,” he added.
“But I’m back now, I’m fit and healthy, I’ve had no ill-effects from the injury so it was good to get back out there, right back into the frying pan because it doesn’t get any more difficult than Chelsea away. It was a good game for us, I thought we played well.”
