Waelsh winger Simon Davies has revealed the opportunity of playing in the Champions League with Everton was too big a challenge to turn down.
Davoies has admitted that turning down the chance of playing in Europe's Premier competition was not an option as David Moyes agreed a fee with Spurs for the 25-year-old midfielder.
While Merseyside rivals Liverpool kick off their Champions League campaign as holders next week against TNS, it will be a further three weeks before Davies will find out who his new side will face in the final qualifying round.
Of the list of possible opponents - TNS stands out for Davies, with the Welshman knowing the Welsh Premier League champions would have to knock Liverpool out and go through another round to reach the third qualifying round.
Davies admitted: "TNS would be nice,"
"I have had a look at the possibilities, and I know there are some big teams in there, but hopefully the draw will be kind to us and we can get into the group stages."
Other potential opponents for Everton include Internazionale, Celtc, Rangers and Ajax, while Liverpool could also be a possibility with Liverpool being seeded but not exempt from facing a team from their own country.
The possibility of a Merseyside Champions League qualifying derby is not what either club would want, although for the winners, it would be a special occasion.
"It would be something special, but surely it cannot happen so early," Davies added.
"We have a lot of pre-season work to do before we get to that stage, but the mere fact we are in there whets the appetite.
"The Champions League is the biggest competition in football outside the World Cup. If any footballer said playing against big teams on big nights wasn't a turn-on they are in the wrong job.
"We have two hard games to get through yet, but all any player wants is the chance - and that is what we have got."