New Tottenham signing Serge Aurier has told the official Confederation of African Football (CAF) website that he was offered a three-year contract to stay at Paris Saint-Germain but says he was undervalued in France and there was "too much fuss" over his conviction for assault in France.
Aurier, 24, could make his Spurs debut at Everton on Saturday after signing from PSG for £23 million on transfer deadline day, as a replacement for England right-back Kyle Walker, who joined Manchester City in July.
The Ivory Coast international was deemed surplus to requirements at PSG after the signing of Dani Alves but he claims he rejected an offer to remain at the Parc des Princes, which is reported to have been made before the end of last season.
"I am liberated in a moral sense. I have left PSG, who offered me a three-year contract to keep the adventure going. I rejected that, for various reasons. I want to discover a new life because in Paris, I was not respected at my fair value," said Aurier, who claimed he has statistically been the best defender in France since 2013.
"Most of the focus was on a lot of details. More importance was attached to that than my actual football. As far as statistics go, of all the defenders in Ligue 1 since 2013, I was the most decisive. I also won nine titles with PSG.
"There are more important things that I have done in my career but they preferred to dwell on what went on away from the pitch. I got on well with everybody at the club -- the leaders, the players, the staff and the fans. The proof is that the club still needed me but I had to put myself first. It was a personal decision."
Aurier suggested that a reason for leaving PSG was the "fuss" made over his conviction for assault last September, since downgraded by the French courts, after an altercation with a police officer outside a Paris nightclub in May 2016.
The 24-year-old was given a two-month "convertible" prison sentence, as well as a €600 fine and a €1,500 damages bill. Aurier maintains his innocence and the charge has since been downgraded to a fine, enabling him to successfully receive a UK visa and work permit.
"I had a police matter which was blown up by the European press. Normally, when a case goes on for a year or more, the page is turned. But in my case, there was too much fuss made. If I hadn't been morally strong, I would have cracked," he added.
"I could have stayed a year or two for [PSG chairman and CEO Nasser] Al Khelaifi, whom I consider a spiritual father and the whole PSG team as family, but ... By deciding to leave, I must have hurt people, but that's life. I want to discover another world. However, I'll never forget PSG and I wish them all success in the Champions League, which they have been chasing for a long time.
"Tottenham is an ambitious club that plays good football and often finishes near the top of the English league. I have always dreamed of playing in England and I have been able to take this opportunity that was presented to me. I am 24-years-old and I have a lot of football left in me. I now have to battle, improve, and experience great moments with my new club."
Asked if money was a factor in his decision to move to the Premier League, Aurier said: "The salary doesn't count for much [in my thinking].
"Today, I want to be at a club where I can enjoy myself, flourish. If money had been the most important thing, I would have stayed in Paris where the contract they offered me was very interesting. More interesting than the first.
"I have signed a five-year contract with Tottenham to be able to experience different things and remain one of the best right-backs in the world. With God's blessing, I'll manage to do that."