Pienaar: It was so hard to leave Everton

Steven Pienaar has revealed how difficult a decision it was to leave Everton, but insists he has no regrets despite not nailing down a starting role at Spurs.

“Regrets? No, not at all. Not at all,” he told The Independent. “It has been a year of mixed feelings and, yes, it has been a bumpy road, but hopefully I can make it a success.

“It was a very hard decision to make. It was hard to leave Everton as a club, and Liverpool as a city. The people I had around me, the players, most of the supporters were very good to me, and I will always be grateful to them.

“It was so hard to go, but in life you have to make decisions. I made this one as a footballer and as a human being, and I don’t have any regrets about what I chose to do. Not at all.”

“I had a tough time at Ajax (Amsterdam),” he added. “When I damaged my nerve, they said I’d never play again. I came back strong. I had a difficult spell at Dortmund, and I came back strong.

“Things like that help you appreciate the things that you do have.

“Being a footballer is only a short career. Having been through all of that helps me appreciate the time I am on the field. It drives you to fight for your place. I want to be part of this team, and I want to show I did not come here by mistake. I have come back twice already, and I will come back again.”