Tim Cahill has not ruled out the possibility of returning to Everton on loan during the Major League Soccer close season.
Everton are only Premier League club Red Bulls man will consider
Tim Cahill has not ruled out the possibility of returning to Everton on loan during the Major League Soccer close season - if New York Red Bulls give him permission.
Cahill was presented by the Red Bulls on Monday after deciding to leave Everton for the United States following eight years at Goodison Park.
Several US-based players have had loan stints in Europe outside of the MLS season and Cahill is also open to that possibility.
The Australia international insisted his main concern was getting off to a good start with the Red Bulls, but he refused to close the door on the prospect of a loan switch at the end of the campaign.
Cahill said: "I'm totally focusing on the Red Bulls - getting fit, giving everything I can for the next three to four months.
"If something can work and fit to the training regime, because I've committed my future to the Red Bulls, and going on loan might not be the right thing for the football club.
"But if it works out that I can find the right happy medium to get the fitness and keep training and to play in certain games, then maybe yes.
"But I really think in the next three of four months we'll be able to tell closer to the end of the season."
Respect
While Cahill had little hesitation in joining the Red Bulls, he has nothing but respect for Everton and claims he would never consider playing for another Premier League team.
"With opportunities in football you can't stutter, you have to be quick," said the former Millwall man.
"I knew in my heart that if I ever left Everton that I would never play for another Premier League club out of respect for the chairman, the fans and also the manager.
"I kept it quiet amongst the lads out of respect for the football club.
"And when I went into the medical room and told the lads their jaws dropped because I don't think they ever thought they'd see the day when Tim Cahill left Everton.
"The rapport I had with the fans and the loyalty I had toward them and what it meant to be an Evertonian was really special - and also with the Millwall fans.
"I'm going to miss the lads, the chairman, the gaffer, all the staff and the fans - but most of all I'm not going to miss the weather.
While there is perception in some quarters that a move to MLS represents an admission that a player is past his prime, Cahill sees it differently.
"I know a lot of people might think otherwise, but I'm 32 years old, I respect the MLS, I'm coming here at a good age, I'm fit and I'm ready for a new challenge," he added.
"I'm just going to grab the bull by the horns and run with it."
