Steven Pienaar spent more than seven years at Everton across two spells and became somewhat of a fan favourite.

During his time at the Merseyside outfit the winger made more than 200 appearances and was voted Player of the Season at Goodison Park in the 2009-10 season.

In March this year, Pienaar announced his retirement from football at the age of 36 and is now focusing on a new role as International Ambassador at the club.

Everton's official website confirmed that the South African, who earned over 60 caps for his country, will work mainly on commercial activities with the club’s various global partners.

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Most players that have had a long-standing affinity with a club tend to receive a big send-off, but Pienaar’s was relatively understated as he ended his football career following a spell at Johannesburg-based club Bidvest Wits.

The winger was a crucial figure at Everton during the David Moyes era, but his second stint at the club ended with a whimper due to injuries.

Pienaar has spoken fondly of his time at the Merseyside outfit, but admits that he wished it had ended differently.

In the final game of the 2015-16 season, the South African had hoped to give a proper goodbye to the supporters, but he was left out of the squad that played Norwich City.

The Daily Mail quotes the retired winger as saying:

“Everton means a lot to me and I loved Liverpool as a city to live in, I just wish I'd left in a better way. I'm not proud of it but I admit as soon as I knew I wasn't in the team, I left the stadium before the game had even kicked off. It hurt. I was so disappointed, I just thought they could have let us say goodbye properly.”