McGowan, who started every game last season for the champions, inked a one-year deal after coming off contract at Coopers Stadium.

The 24-year-old ex-Hearts man was linked with Graham Arnold’s Sydney FC while Europe is also on his radar having recently married his partner who hails from Scotland.

“There was obviously a little bit of doubt about re-signing,” McGowan told FourFourTwo.

“I had a few teams who were interested and a few things I had to look at.

“The ACL played a big part in me staying in Adelaide.

“It’s my hometown club and we’re reigning premiers so it’s difficult to leave, but I’ve always got ambitions to play overseas and move on to a higher level.

“That’s still there, there’s a burning desire to move on, but for now the best place for me and my football is Adelaide.”

The 2015-16 season was McGowan’s most consistent of his career to date.

He said he needs more campaigns like the last to realistically be a Socceroos shot and also earn a move abroad, ideally to Europe.

With that in mind, McGowan didn’t want to constrain himself with a long-term contract at Adelaide, preferring only a one-year deal.

“At my age it’s clever to not tie yourself down for too long because it’s difficult for European clubs to pay big transfer fees for 24-25 year-olds,” he said.

“The money is in Asia for transfer fees. So a year-long contract suited me and the club to get me for another year.

“Both parties are really happy which is all you can ask for.”

McGowan has international ambitions, having seen his brother Ryan make 16 appearances in the green and gold.

“Everyone wants to play for them. It’s a huge ambition for myself,” he said.

“My brother has obviously been there and done it. I’ve seen first hand how that can help you in your career and how special an occasion it is to represent your country.

“It’s definitely a burning ambition but I just have to keep putting seasons together and consistently.

“Once you do a few of those seasons, that’s when you can start asking questions.”