He returns to Goodison Park in a 4.5-million-pound move, and has committed to a four-and-a-half year deal.

The 30-year-old spent the end of last season back at his old club on loan, scoring four goals in 14 appearances.

He will hope to fill the space left by Tim Cahill, after the Australian striker moved to MLS side New York Red Bulls.

"At the end of the season it was sad to say good-bye and I spoke to the manager before I left and that's when I made up my mind that I really want to come back. That was it," he said as he was unveiled on Friday.

"Over the holidays I had it hard, but I followed my heart and told myself I'd made up my mind already, before I went back to training. It was basically just for me to wait for the deal to be done.

"It's football. Wherever you go you give 100 percent and for whatever reason it doesn't work you just have to keep your head up, move on and leave the past behind you. I gave it everything and it didn't work out. At least I left with my head up and I'm proud I played for them.

"The club has been part of my family since I joined the first time. It was always a part of me.

"My family wanted to come back and the club gave me the opportunity to play in the Premier League and whenever I had an opportunity to come back it was easy for me to make a decision."