KEVIN KILBANE claimed he had to leave Sunderland to keep alive his international ambitions.

The 26-year-old joined Everton on Monday in a £1m deal and became the 16th senior player to leave the Stadium of Light club during the summer.

And Kilbane also revealed that he was hoping he could seal a move back to the English top-flight during the summer after suffering releagtion with Sunderland last season.

The former West Brom man, who is now on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, also revealed he feared the deal would not go through.

"I was hearing and reading things but nothing was concrete so I just got on with it," he said.

"I honestly thought it would never happen and I am looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead at Everton.

"I just want to enjoy my football and I wanted to get back to the Premiership. I would not say I was desperate but I was keen to make the move back up.

"I wanted to make the step up for the sake of my international future, for myself and for the chance to play in the best league in the world."

The sale of Kilbane, who cost £2.5m from the Baggies in 1999, was the final piece of Sunderland's massive summer clear-out.

And McCarthy admits he is now relieved to work a with a group of players he knows will be here until January at least.

He said: "Everybody knows how highly I rate Kevin Kilbane. But an offer was made - and we could have lost him for nothing next summer."

Meanwhile, Scotland boss Berti Vogts last night revealed that Sunderland striker Kevin Kyle turned down the chance to sign for German side Cologne on Monday.