Aymen Abdennour has revealed it was a call from Valencia Coach Nuno Santo that convinced him to move to Mestalla.
Abdennour was presented on Monday and recalled the process of his departure from Monaco, having confirmed interest from Italy, England and elsewhere in Spain.
“I’m very happy. I chose Valencia because of the project and because they’re in Europe,” he said, Super Deporte reports.
“There were many options but I was impressed by Valencia’s interest. I love the football culture here. It’s a high level.
“We were in the Monaco offices on Saturday. The Presidents of the two clubs and Peter Lim. I got a call from Nuno and he told me it was a great project and we could make progress.
“We talked a lot and promised that together we could have a good season. I said ‘ok, I’m coming tomorrow.
“Monaco had a great season last year so it’s natural there’s been interest. My agents travelled to Barcelona, London and Italy, but I’m here and I’m very happy.”
President Chan Lay Hoon added that Abdennour, who wears the No 23 given up by Nicolas Otamendi, now at Manchester City, has the right mind-set for Los Che.
“It wasn’t an easy negotiation but I’m happy he’s here on this project. He’s one of the best defenders in Europe,” she remarked.
“He’s young with great potential. In my interactions with him these past few days I think he’s a perfectionist. He wants everything to be perfect and that means he’ll be a good player for us.”
