Luca Stephenson reveals exactly why he had come back to Dundee United – 'It was always in the back of my mind'
Luca Stephenson admitted it was always at the 'back of his mind' that he would be returning to Dundee United.
The versatile midfielder has agreed a season-long loan back from Liverpool.
Stephenson was United's young player of the season and he insisted that returning to Tannadice was always his main priority.
The 21-year-old stated: 'I am made up to be back. It has been a fairly long summer but I've had a good pre-season down the road.
'I've always had it in the back of my mind that after it (last season) was finished, that it was time to get back up the road and get playing again.
'It was just how it went for myself and the team. For me, personally and the team it was a brilliant year. I got a lot of experience and I felt I came along like a player.'
Stephenson joked his phone was spammed over the summer from people at United ordering him home.
He confirmed: 'A lot of players and staff have been in contact throughout the summer, jokingly asking when I would be back rather than if I would be back. Liverpool were sending me out on loan and this was the only place I wanted to come.
Stephenson insisted the trust of Jim Goodwin last season and the back of the United faithful were other driving factors in taking him back to Tayside.
The Englishman stated: 'The gaffer last year trusted me in any position or game he chucked me in everywhere. That trust from him was a massive thing in me coming back.
'I knew if I could replicate my form of last season and hopefully I can get through all the games here again. That was a massive thing for me coming back.
'I felt really appreciated with the effort I put in, from everyone and the fans. It is rare to find to be so appreciated. It made me come back to get more.'
It was Stephenson's first season of regular first-team football and there were plenty of highlights as United booked their place in Europe. The player himself missed the final run after playing through a double hernia.
He said: 'My first senior goal at the start of the season, my first league start, the Dundee derby over Christmas, the win over Aberdeen and the little run at the end before I was injured, the three 1-0s. I picked up lots of good moments.'
Stephenson needed surgery at the end of the season but recovered and went away with Arne Slot's English champions for pre-season.
'It took six to eight weeks to get over the summer,' the former Sunderland youngster confirmed. 'I got off to a good start in pre-season and plenty of minutes for the first-team.
'I got a trip away with them and got to play a few games in England as well.
Stephenson and fellow new boy Julius Eskesen will go into Goodwin's squad for the Premier Sports Cup trip to Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Stephenson, speaking to DUTV, insisted: 'I feel fit and raring to go whenever I am called upon. I will play and hit the ground running again and take on last season's form and push into this year.
'Last season's league form was really good and if we can replicate it then brilliant and we can try and do better in the cup competitions.'
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