I had expected to be playing in the reserves and, all going well, that I might get a chance in the first team towards the end of the season. But it has all happened much faster than I could ever have thought.

I'm not saying it wouldn't have happened if I'd come to Anfield then (1997), but I always held out hope that I'd come back and this is a real dream come true for me.

I know it will take a little time to adapt to a different team and a different league.

Sometimes, you need different things in life, you need different challenges that will give you that little boost.

At Leeds I've tried to concentrate on my club form, but you get caught up in all the World Cup fever once you come back to Ireland and see all the Irish boys again.

A lot of players might be tired, but I feel nice and sharp.

I am absolutely delighted at the prospect of joining a world famous club like Inter.