Kevin Rutkiewicz has revealed he turned down the opportunity of Europa League football, as well as offers to play in the United States, to have another crack at the SPL with the Pars.
The 31-year-old was targeted by Icelandic Premier League leaders KR and teams in Miami, Orlando and Tampa in America.
However, such is his desire to test himself again in Scotland’s top flight not to mention his affection for Dunfermline Rutkiewicz did not take long to make up his mind that East End Park is still the place for him.
The former St Johnstone and Aberdeen centre-back, who signed his one-year contract on Wednesday, told Courier Sport, “There were a few things outside of Scotland that I had to give serious thought to.
“The idea of playing in another country has always appealed and, at the stage I’m at in my career, I had to give it consideration, which I think everybody would understand.
“There was never any doubt that if I stayed in Scotland it was always going to be Dunfermline. There was no danger of me playing for another domestic club.
“But, to be honest, I made my mind up pretty quickly, in the end. I’d decided to stay while I was away with the lads in Magaluf after we won promotion.
“KR are a massive club in Iceland and are virtually guaranteed European football every season. They’re in this season’s Europa League, which was very attractive.
“I don’t know how that offer came about but their transfer deadline was May 20 and it would have been a real snap decision to go there.’Hunger’ for SPL”But when it came down to making my mind up, I’ve got a real hunger to play in the SPL again,” he added.
“I’ve settled in so well at Dunfermline, better than I could have hoped for in such a short space of time (he only arrived on loan from Saints in January). I really didn’t expect things to work out as well as they have.
“Dunfermline have given me a new lease of life and the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
“I’d like to think I’ve done well for Dunfermline, but the club has done more for me than I could for it. I’ve got the spark back for playing football that I’d lost towards the end of my time with Saints.
“I’d lost momentum and everything had got on top of me and things had gone flat. I was struggling with injuries and I just felt I was chasing my fitness.”
The chance of a US adventure is one that Rutkiewicz has not ruled out embarking on in the future.
He said, “I’m not good enough to think I can say, ‘I’ll finish my career in the States.’ That’s for the likes of Thierry Henry.
“For the remainder of my career I’ll be making year-on-year decisions, but I can see myself staying at Dunfermline as long as I’m wanted.
“The timing wasn’t right for me for America just now but if, in a few years, I could go over there, possibly with a coaching badge, I’m sure it would be a great experience.”
With the Pars squad just three weeks away from returning to pre-season training, Rutkiewicz said, “I’m really looking forward to next season. In the past, with Saints and Aberdeen, it’s been stop-start for me in the SPL.
“My main aim is to stay fit, and if I do that I’m confident I’ll perform well. I just want to get a run at it. If I play 15 or 16 games in a row and I’m not good enough, I’ll hold my hands up.”