Everton midfielder Alex Nyarko has failed to secure a move away from Goodison Park.
The Ghanaian had hoped to negotiate a short-term contract with a club in China but talks have broken down and the player is on his way back to England.
Nyarko vowed never to play for Everton again after being reproached by a disillusioned fan in 2001.
But after loan spells with Monaco and Paris St Germain, he turned out for the Premiership club in pre-season.
Toffees boss David Moyes has made it clear that Nyarko is down the pecking order on his list of midfielders.