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Retired Socceroos champion Tim Cahill to move to US

Retired Socceroos great Tim Cahill has drawn “a line in the sand” about “whispers” of a return to the A-League, announcing instead he is set to move to the US.

Speaking to reporters in Sydney for the first time on Friday after confirming his retirement earlier this week, an emotional Cahill, 38, said his A-League experience had been “fantastic” as he flagged a potential career as a coach and serving as a football “ambassador”.

“I have heard whispers about the A-League. I would like to be open and honest that my A-League experience was fantastic.

“To come home and win a trophy with Melbourne city and the FFA (Football Federation Australia) cup, to score some great goals on debut, that was something I would never forget.

“I felt I had a successful time here.”

Cahilll said it would be “impossible” to live in America and play in the A-League.

Saying his aim was to quell rumours, Cahill said he is not connected to any A-League groups “or anything whatsoever”, but “I am connected to the FFA and to the international team where my support will be.”

He said he has “not really entertained anyone” in terms of a new club because “I have been selfish enough now to have some serious family time.

“I promised I would try not to talk about football and football clubs too much,” he said.

When asked how he broke the news to his four children, Cahill said it was during a BBQ at a villa in the Maldives.

“They were shocked because they think daddy can play forever.”

“I said to my 15 year old boy [Kyah] first, I am retiring from the national team”.

“He said, ‘Look I respect your decision Dad, you’ve done a lot for your country'”.

Cahill told reporters he was interested in coaching and “will fly from Australia and spend some time with some partners and try to lay some foundations to do great things for soccer in Australia”.

“[I will] make sure that I can still be an ambassador for the A-League and support the growth of football in Australia which is something that I am excited to do.

“I fly to the UK and start my license in preparation and then I will open the door for offers to play football.”

Cahill played only sparingly last season during spells with City and English Championship side Millwall, and admitted “every decision” he made in the six months leading up to his fourth World Cup in Russia was to help him do whatever he could to help the Socceroos.

Cahill spent a season and a half with Melbourne City and said he enjoyed the experience but has no interest in coming back to play in Australia, given his intention to live in America.

-with AAP

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