Goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has conceded that a lack of game-time at Barcelona was not good for him and convinced him to join Valencia.
The Dutch international has moved to Mestalla in a deal worth an estimated €30m, with goalkeeper Neto going the other way.
“My motivation is simply to play, I had three wonderful years at Barcelona but I now want to play more,” Cillessen told reporters following his official presentation.
“I am here to play – to play in La Liga, to play in the Champions League and in all other competitions and this is Valencia, a wonderful club, a strong team and a great history.
“I only talked to the Coach (Marcelino) over the phone but that was enough to convince me on what I would need and how much I would play.
“The difference at Barcelona was that Marc-Andre Ter Stegen was there and he was a little bit stronger than me, so this is a new and exciting challenge.
“But I am aware that here it will be the Coach’s decision and I have to do everything I can in training to convince him that I deserve to play.
“I am now a 30-year-old and after three years I need to be playing regularly but I want to star at club and international level.”
