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(Image: Everton FC)

Everton’s £45m midfielder also doesn’t believe he has a point to prove as he prepares to make his Goodison Park debut against former club Tottenham today.

In fact, he believes his two-year stay at Spurs was the making of him even though he struggled to make a real impression and was sold to Swansea.

“It definitely helped me as a person and as a player,” said the Iceland international.

“When I came into Tottenham and when I came out of there to go back to Swansea I was a much better player.

“I was more mature, more experienced and I learnt a lot playing with the top players there.”

Sigurdsson had spent a successful six months on loan at Swansea from Hoffenheim before opting for a £7m move to Tottenham in the summer of 2012.

He made 83 appearances under Andres Villas-Boas and Tim Sherwood but 39 of those were as a substitute in a time of change and managerial upheaval at White Hart Lane.

When Mauricio Pochettino arrived in 2014, Sigurdsson felt it was time to return to the Liberty Stadium and nail down a regular starting spot.

“I really enjoyed the time there,” he said. “It is a club that I will always look out for the results of and when we are playing them.

“Of course I had a few years left on my contract and I probably could have stayed.

“It was the time when Pochettino was coming in but I had kind of made up my mind I wanted to change it up and go to Swansea and get some games under my belt which has helped me over the last three years and brought me to Everton.

“Am I here with a point to prove? Not at all, there is nothing like that going on.”

Sigurdsson’s signature broke Everton’s transfer record this summer but it was a drawn-out saga that saw him push for a move once it became clear that Ronald Koeman was keen on the 28-year-old.

It was still not easy to leave Swansea where he had become their star man and a club that welcomed him back with open arms after he left Spurs.

“Will they understand I needed to make this step? Of course I hope so,” he said. “It never got in a negative way when I was leaving.

“It’s hard to say goodbye to a team you like playing for, but it’s football and your career is really short and you never know what is going to happen.

“In two months’ time you might get injured and your opportunity might be gone. I made my mind and I’m happy that I’m here.”

Sigurdsson has already made an impression at Everton with a stunning long-range goal against Hajduk Split in the Europa League qualifiers.

“I was just thinking hopefully the keeper is off his line,” he said.

But it is about the long-term future rather than just long-range goals and Sigurdsson is hoping to put down roots after a fairly nomadic career with his three-year spell at Swansea the longest he has been at one club.

“That is why I signed a long contract,” he said. “I want to be here for a long number of years.

“It will take me to just over 30 I think, wow that feels like a long way. I think things will go past quickly if you’re enjoying time.”

Asked if the move will make him a better player, he said: “I hope so, that would be nice.

“Of course, the main thing is to be good and playing high up the league.

“That is what this club wants and the ambition it has. It’s down to us – not just the new guys but the guys who have been here a while too – to make that happen.”

* Gylfi Sigurdsson was speaking ahead of Everton’s fixture against Spurs today where the Blues will be celebrating the 125th anniversary of Goodison Park.

To mark the occasion, Everton has released a Goodison Park 125 commemorative range of clothing.

The full range is available from evertondirect.com