Rio de Janeiro July 18 (IANS) Goalkeeper Diego Alves has revealed that he turned down lucrative offers from other European clubs to play for Brazilian side Flamengo.
The 32-year-old gave his first press conference as a Flamengo player on Monday after ending his impressive six-year spell at Valencia reports Xinhua news agency.
Flamengo reportedly paid just 300 000 euros ($338 448) for the shot-stopper in a deal that expires at the end of 2020.
"I had opportunities in Europe but when Flamengo began negotiations everything became clear " Alves said.
"I saw honesty in their proposal and that s when I decided I wanted to return to Brazil. I wanted to be a part of a big team like Flamengo to keep improving and to win titles."
Alves will reportedly earn around 150 000 US dollars a month at his new club around half his salary at Valencia.
He admitted the prospect of catching the attention of Brazil national coach Tite ahead of next year s FIFA World Cup had influenced his decision.
"I came here thinking about Flamengo but the opportunity to play for Brazil is a reward for playing well " Alves said.
"I ll work as hard as I can to be called up."
Alves made 146 first-team appearances for Valencia after his 2011 move from Almeria.
In 2016 he became the goalkeeper with the most penalty saves (17) in Spain s top flight breaking the record previously held by Andoni Zubizarreta.
--IANS
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