The Ukrainian’s career went off the rails following his £30m move to Chelsea and consequent injury problems and some would say his return to San Siro has hardly been a roaring success either.

“I feel reborn,” he told the Corriere dello Sport. “Both on the field and off, I am a new man. I must thank Milan for that.

“Those who think I am a flop are wrong, because I openly said in the summer what my main objective was in coming back to Milan.

“It was to become a real player again after two difficult years, above all down to injuries.”

So far Sheva has been overshadowed by Ronaldinho, Alexandre Pato and David Beckham, but expects 2009 to be his year.

“I am certain of it. One of my aims is to continue and in the end finish my career here at Milan, so I want this club to be my future.

“You will see the hitman back again very soon, because I think I have finally completed my recovery process, both physically and psychologically.”

Shevchenko confessed to giving teammate Kaka some advice when Manchester City made their £107m offer.

He knows all about bad moves to the Premier League, but maintains family and his English-speaking wife and children was the only consideration he ever had.

“Ricky did not need advice, as he knew full well what he could and indeed had to do. One cannot draw comparisons between Ricky and myself.

“In my case I was the one to go to Milan and personally ask to be sold. I did it for the good of my family, for my children.

“That is why at the end of my career I will return to live in London.”