Landon Donovan says he would love to join Everton on a permanent deal, but only when his contract with MLS champions LA Galaxy ends.
Donovan has just finished a two-month loan spell at Everton, his second such stint with the Merseyside club.
While hopeful of a return to the Premier League, the American insists he will first honour his LA Galaxy contract.
"It would be hard to go to any other club now, so if anything were to happen, I imagine it would be here at Everton," Donovan told Reuters.
"I know for sure I'm going back to LA this year, but we'll see."
"My commitment is for two more years to the Galaxy and we'll see what happens after this year but I would obviously welcome the opportunity to come back."
Donovan, 29, has impressed during his two loan spells in the Premier League and believes he will still have something to offer in two years time.
"There is no question that as you get older your desirability to European clubs diminishes," the US international conceded.
"But I think I can still perform at a high level and I think that if guys are doing it 36, 37 then I hope I can still do it at 32, 33."
Donovan made five assists in his loan spell and was a key figure in the Everton's return to form after David Moyes' side struggled in the earlier part of the campaign.
Everton, who claimed a third-straight home win at the expense of Chelsea on Saturday, sit 10th in the Premeir League standings.