It's a sizeable about-turn but it illustrates how the search for and desire to have top flight football at all costs consumes the life of today's professional footballer.
Deeply unhappy with life in Spain just three months ago, Ian Harte is now adamant he will stay and willingly see out the remaining two years of his Levante contract.
That decision, of course, is made all the easier by the club's recent promotion back to the top table.
Having spent last season languishing in the Spanish second division, a significantly poorer cousin to the star-studded razzmatazz that envelopes La Liga, Harte has regained some pep in his step.
Levante president Pedro Villarroel had told the player he could quit on a free transfer during the summer. And the Republic of Ireland international had his mind set on a English return - where he had left Leeds United two years ago - whether or not his club secured promotion.
"I really want to move. I've been saying this since January," Harte said in May. "Once the season is over, hopefully I can move back to England. Once there I can start enjoying my football again.
"It has been tough in Spain, but I've given it a go and it's been a good experience. But now is the time to come home. I'm just not happy."
But despite pleas to both Premiership and Championship clubs, few if any sides were actually forthcoming. Still a few including Celtic were reportedly monitoring the situation but meaningful offers were noticeable by their absence.
With or without a club, plans were nevertheless readied for a return. Harte's wife Laura was grieving the death of her father and desperately wanted to be close to her mother in the UK. But, after lengthy discussions, the couple and their two young daughters opted to tough it out in Spain.
Fast forward then to the pre-Holland game gathering in Portmarnock yesterday and Harte - who now misses the match with a knee injury - sits bristling with a new-found love and acceptance for his current situation.
Once again comfortable in his own skin he is, indeed, relishing the season ahead and the uncertainty twinned with it. Eight new players, among them former Newcastle man Laurent Robert and AS Roma's Tomassi, ensures Levante hold a surer footing now than at the time of their previous, unsuccessful attempt at the top flight two seasons ago.
"The president had said I could go on a free transfer but things have obviously changed dramatically since," Harte says. "We got promoted in the last game of the season and the president said I was definitely part of his plans for the coming season.
"But it had been a very difficult time for us as a family," Harte explains. "We hadn't really settled at all but that has changed now. We sat down and discussed our circumstances long and hard and we're quite happy to enjoy two more years in Spain.
"My wife has settled into Spanish life now and my child is schooling here. I'm happy with that and so is my family. That is the single most important thing."
Harte, too, is settling back into the Ireland squad having been overlooked by Brian Kerr - although he did also struggle with injuries - for much of the Dubliner's reign.
A difference of opinion with Kerr was eventually ironed out and Harte came back for the latter part of the unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign after a 14 month spell in the wilderness.
"It was really difficult to watch the World Cup on TV," he sighs, "but the thing was we lost silly points at home to Israel.
"For this campaign we need to be much more together. This week we're missing three quality players in Robbie, Richard and Shay but lets hope they'll be okay for the qualifier with Germany in a few weeks.
"I'll certainly be keeping my fingers crossed and saying a few prayers for them as they're the key players that can win us these crucial games. And we can win them."
