Despite inking an extension to stick around for some 2.Bundesliga action, St. Pauli left back Ian Joy vows he is still interested in an MLS return in the future.

Heading out of contract after helping the Anarchists win promotion, the San Diego native entertained some interest back home before opting to remain at the Millerntor.

"I'd been speaking to the club about staying for about 2-3 months, and (me and my wife) decided to stay and play for another year in Hamburg," Joy told American Soccer Daily. "MLS was an option for me. There was some interest."

The former Manchester United schoolboy signed a multi-year deal with the Columbus Crew back in 2003, but only stayed for a cup of coffee before heading back overseas.

"MLS is something I have wanted to do for a long time and is still something I want to do in my career," asserted Joy, who turns 26 on Saturday. "I think its a great, well organized league with some very exciting players and coaches, with new ideas, different ideas to the European coaches that I have worked for the last 10 years."