Saturday, 28 July 2012:

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has paid a glowing tribute to departing Socceroo Tim Cahill, saying the club let him go with a "heavy heart."

Cahill, who played 278 times for the Toffees in a career spanning eight years, has signed a three-and-a-half year deal with the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.

He was one of manager David Moyes' best buys after his STG1.5 million ($A2.28 million) move from Millwall.

"We accepted this offer for Tim with a heavy heart but it is a great way for him to end his Everton career," Kenwright said on evertonfc.com

"The transfer salutes Tim's unswerving commitment to our cause over the last eight years and also respects his desire never to play against Everton."

Kenwright said the Australian would be sorely missed at Goodison Park.

"On a personal level, I will miss the first-ever player that David 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," he told Press Association 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 transfer represents a good move for Everton also as it gets the 32-year-old, who was one of the club's highest earners on STG55,000 ($A83,500)-a-week, off the wage bill.

That should pave the way for the club to step up their efforts to re-sign Tottenham midfielder Steven Pienaar.

AAP