Kevin Gameiro has revealed he chose to join Atletico Madrid in spite of interest from Barcelona and more lucrative offers from abroad.
Gameiro, 29, made a €32 million switch from Sevilla to Atletico last week after netting 29 times in all competitions last season.
Barcelona were interested in the three-time Europa League winner but Gameiro felt it would be hard to dislodge Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez or Neymar from the Spanish champions' starting XI.
"It was above all a sporting choice," Gameiro told L'Equipe. "I knew that if I went to Barca, I would have found myself as the fourth attacker. My game time would have reduced I think.
"In fact there was more chance of me staying at Sevilla than going to Barcelona."
The former Paris Saint-Germain striker also reportedly turned down interest from English clubs before deciding to join Atletico.
"My agents made me aware of more attractive offers on a financial level but I wanted to stay in Spain," Gameiro said.
"I feel very good here and my family does too. And La Liga is one of the best leagues. Only Spanish teams have won the European Cups in the past three years."
Gameiro is hoping the move will help him break into the France squad after being on standby for Euro 2016.
The ex-Lorient player is also looking forward to working with Atletico manager Diego Simeone.
"He told me that he was looking for a player like me who was able to provide an effort in defence like in attack," Gameiro said.
"And also to be a goal scorer. Diego Simeone wanted above all someone who could blend into the collective."