Lee Croft has revealed why he chose to return to the Fair City instead of relocating to the Windy one.
The 28-year-old was over in the States visiting his brother in the summer after leaving English League One side Oldham Athletic.
Two US sides were interested in signing the winger who has also played for Manchester City, Norwich and Derby but he admits the lure of a return to St Johnstone and the chance to work with manager Tommy Wright proved too strong to resist.
Croft said: “I was over in the States and had a chance to sign for Chicago Fire.
“There was also interest from a team in North Carolina. It was looking good but I still felt I had a lot to offer here.
“Tommy being the manager had an influence on my decision to come back to St Johnstone. He persuaded me to come. He is providing the platform to get fit and get back playing and I will reward him for it.”
Croft had been without a club until he rejoined St Johnstone at the end of November and he admits he has had to really knuckle down to get back to full fitness.
Now, though after completing what was a mini pre-season he is raring to go to repay his manager’s faith in him.
He said: “I think the gaffer realises how hard I have been working on my fitness since coming back. I have been doing the right things, watching what I eat and I am getting on the pitch.
“I’ve played a few Under-20 games and that has helped my fitness levels.
“I just need time on the park with the first team now. I feel I have done well in the Under-20s and created a lot of goals.
“I will get sharper and I am working hard with the fitness coach. I have been knuckling down and I have really kicked on.
“I knew there was work to be done because I was going through a mini pre-season. I’m not silly. I thought it might take a while to get up to speed after not playing since the end of last season.
“Christmas and New Year was hard but I had to watch what I was eating and drinking. I just had to make sure I was eating the right things. It will all be worth it.
“I’m doing extra work in the mornings when the lads are off as well.”
Croft was previously at McDiarmid Park in 2012 for a successful five-month loan spell from Derby and he is hoping to have a similar impact again.
He came off the bench last weekend against St Mirren and Wright admitted earlier this week that the player is edging closer to a starting spot, perhaps as early as Saturday’s game at home against Hearts.
Croft added: “I enjoyed it when I came here on loan and hopefully it will be the same, scoring and making a few goals for the team.
“It was good getting a run against St Mirren and hopefully my first start will come soon. The gaffer has told me I’m close now.
“It has been a bit frustrating being on the bench but the gaffer is doing right by me. He doesn’t want to push things too quickly and risk an injury. We’ve to time it right for me and for the team.
“We can beat anyone on our day and we looked good against St Mirren. We’ve just been a bit inconsistent so it would be good to go on a winning run.
“I’m about scoring and creating goals. I have told Mayso (star striker Stevie May) I’m going to make a few goals for him to add to his tally. I’ll make life easier for him!”