Newcastle United's newest recruit Matz Selshas revealed he knocked back the Premier League to work with Rafa Benitez at St James' Park.
The Belgian goalkeeper joined the Magpies from Gent this summerfor a fee in the region of€6m, and spoke to theShields Gazetteabout his decision to choose Newcastle over several Premier League outfits.
Just signed 5-years contract in Newcastle.. Proud to be a Magpie! @NUFC @KAAGent pic.twitter.com/tRghSqj5yO
Southampton and Middlesbrough were also reportedly in the hunt for the 24-year-old's signature but after a chat with Benitez, the stopper was convinced that his future was at Tyne and Wear.
He said:"There was also a few teams from the Premier League that was interested, but Newcastle is a really big club.
"It's strange that they were relegated, but that's football.
"I heard about the interest from Newcastle, had a talk with Rafa Benitez and was convinced of my choice."
"It's a team that doesn't belong in the second division. Normally, it's always a Premier League team - a top club in the Premier League. I was convinced of my choice."
Sels is expected to begin the new season between the sticks as usual number one Tim Krul and last season's outbreak-star Rob Elliot rehab their long-term knee injuries. He will fight it out with Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman for the nod.
He said: "I think in every club you have a lot of good goalkeepers.Now here, there are four or five good goalkeepers.
"That's good for the competition between us. I have to show that I'm worthy of playing.Hopefully, I can learn a lot, that's the most important thing. I think I'm the youngest, so I try to listen to the coach and the goalkeeping trainer.
SELS SIGNS: Welcome to Newcastle United, @MatzSels! ��🇧🇪 #SelsSigns #NUFChttps://t.co/Ge0qbCdBGI
"That's what I can do and show myself in the games and in training.I'm 24 now, which is still young for a goalkeeper."
The Belgium under-21 star is excited about the prospect of playing for United but is optimistic that his jaunt in the Championship is just that. A short one.
He continued: "In my career I always try to go step by step. Newcastle is a big club, so it's a good step forward for me.Hopefully, I can bring the team where it belongs."