Everton midfielder Tim Cahill believes that it is more difficult to stay at a football club for the long-term rather than leaving for a "fresh challenge".

The 32-year-old, who has been at Goodison Park for seven years, has revealed his intention to stay with the Toffees for many years to come.

"If you stay at a club, it's harder," The Mirror. "It's easier to leave, really - it's easier to have a fresh challenge, because you join a new team, you have a clean slate, you nick a few goals and you have a fresh impetus.

"But I've found it's harder to stay because every year gets harder, expectations get higher, fans may get complacent about players and what they want them to achieve. They want a difference, they want a change.

"I've always said I will leave only when this football club is done with me. I think loyalty goes a long way, and I've always wanted to repay the faith this club had in me, when I came from nothing."

Everton have had a mismatched season in the Premier League so far, but have been boosted with the return of Los Angeles Galaxy star Landon Donovan, who will join up with the squad for a two-month loan stint in January.