Emre Can says he rejected a prospective return to Bayern Munich as he felt joining Liverpool represented a better opportunity for his career.
Can left Bayern for Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2013, but the Bundesliga champions included a buy-back option for a player their CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, had described as "one of the biggest talents in German football."
That option was set to become active in 2015 but, after an impressive campaign with Leverkusen, the Germany under-21 international opted for a move to Anfield in the summer after talks with Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.
"Bayern had a buyback clause but that didn't kick in until next year," the 20-year-old told the Liverpool Echo. "There were some discussions with Bayern this summer but I decided the best thing for me would be to accept the opportunity to come to Liverpool.
"Before I came here I had discussions with Brendan Rodgers and that made my mind up. From those talks I was very positive about this move. This whole club is very ambitious and positive about how it wants to play football. That's the way I want to play football too.
"Liverpool believe in the same things and that's why I came here. I want to stay here for a long time."
He said he had initially left Bayern in 2013 due to a lack of first-team opportunities.
"As a young player you need games under your belt," he said. "Leverkusen wanted me and I took that chance. I'm glad I did as they gave me the chance to play."
He said he had enjoyed working under former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia, who was dismissed as Leverkusen boss in April.
"I went there as a young player who needed to be given the chance to play and I'm very grateful that Sami gave me that chance," he said. "I know Sami is a legend here and I'm thankful for everything he did for me.
"I put the effort in during training and played better than others so I got into the team. "I was able to put into practise everything I learned during my time at Bayern when I was working with players like [Bastian] Schweinsteiger, [Javi] Martinez and [Luiz] Gustavo. You pick up little things every day. They made major contributions to developing my career."
Can is currently sidelined with an ankle injury but said: "I'm feeling much better and I should be back in full training with the first team next week.
"I got a blow on the ankle first of all and then when I was running at pace I tried to turn and went over on it. "It's been frustrating but that's what happens in football and you have to get on with it. I'm confident I can come back stronger from this.
"I should be fit and available for the QPR game [on Oct. 19] but of course whether I play any part in that game is down to the coach and how I get on in the training sessions next week."