Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has expressed his personal gratitude to midfielder Tim Cahill following his departure to the MLS.
The Australia international completed a move to New York Red Bulls on Monday for a bid believed to be in the region of £1m.
"On a personal level, I will miss the first-ever player that David [Moyes] and I went to see together, and the wide-eyed bundle of energy that walked into my office a short time later and told me that Everton was his destiny," Kenwright told PA Sport.
"And he now embarks on a new stage of his career with our heartfelt thanks, and of course our real best wishes for his future.
"I can guarantee New York Red Bulls will have many, many admirers cheering them on from across the Ocean. All wearing the Blue of Everton. Thank you Tim."
The 32-year-old spent eight years at Goodison Park.
