Alvaro Arbeloa has explained how why West Ham was a more attractive option for him than AC Milan – indeed why is was the best place on earth after a Real Madrid.
The new right back – still a couple of weeks away from fitnes told how he was in advanced talks with the Serie A outfit but how talks to become complicated by the potential arrival of the new Chinese owners.
He said: “There were quite advanced talks, [but] everything became complicated with the arrival of the [new] Chinese [owners at Milan] and I preferred something else.”
“I took a long time to make a decision because I wanted to be convinced.
“When you leave Real Madrid it is very difficult, it is difficult to choose. It’s like leaving heaven and finding a destination on earth.
“But the club, the city and the coach convinced me. I had various offers from Spain, but over there I could only wear the shirt of Real Madrid.”
Boss Slaven Bilic said: “His CV is top of course. He was at Liverpool so he knows the Premier League. He had 10 years at Real Madrid and won everything.”