Michael Keane has admitted he was tempted to return to Manchester United before deciding to leave Burnley for Everton.
However, the defender's £30 million move to Goodison Park on Monday is still set to net United more than £7m thanks to their 25 percent sell-on clause.
Keane, who left Old Trafford for Burnley in 2015, was on United boss Jose Mourinho's list of targets this summer.
But after United spent £31m on centre-back Victor Lindelof, Keane opted for Everton.
"Of course it was a temptation [to rejoin United]," Keane told Sky Sports. "It's your boyhood club but you have got to take your heart out of it sometimes and think what's best for you, and I feel as if this is the best place for me to come and continue my development. It's a club with such big history and a great fan base so I can't wait to pull on the shirt and play for this club."
Keane, who made five first-team appearances at United, is hoping to earn a place in England's squad for next summer's World Cup, providing they qualify for the tournament.
He has already won two caps under England boss Gareth Southgate, but was left out of the squad for the games against Scotland and France in June.
Keane is hopeful that a season under Everton boss Ronald Koeman, a former Netherlands and Barcelona centre-back, can boost his international chances.
He added: "I have been fortunate enough that in the clubs I have played in the past, the manager has played in my position as well, and I feel like he was a very classy centre-half so he can still teach me things. I want to develop. I am only 24-years-old, which is young for a centre-half, but I feel how much they wanted me was a big factor as well."