Tim Howard has insisted that he has no intention of leaving Everton prior to the end of his contract, despite speculation linking him with a move to Major League Soccer intensifying this week.

The 35-year-old has become a familiar face in the Premier League since initially joining Manchester United in 2003, although it was only last summer when he really caught the imagination of fans in his American homeland due to a string of impressive World Cup performances.

It has been claimed that Howard would end his 12-year stay on these shores at the end of the season by joining either New York City FC or Sporting Kansas City, although the experienced stopper has moved to distance himself from these rumours.

"There seems to be a lot getting said about my return and two weeks ago some things popped up on Twitter and I was getting all sorts of phone calls," he told radio station SiriusXM FC. "I had to call my agent to find out what was going on because I didn't know anything about it and nor did he.

"I've got three years left at Everton and at the end of that I want to be done playing so what happens in between that I have no idea. It is a business, but I'm happy where I am. I don't know anything about those rumours, I have to be honest."

Howard has endured a frustrating campaign to date with the Toffees, missing eight weeks through injury before making his return in the recent 1-0 defeat against leaders Chelsea.