Liverpool midfielder James Milner, who joined from Manchester City on a free transfer earlier on in the summer window, has stated his move was 'selfish' on his part, but he's looking forward to the future with the Reds.
The 29-year-old Englishman, reknowned for his versatility - being able to play in plenty of different positions, left the sky Blues on the expiry of his contract. Despite this though, Manuel Pellegrini was desperate to keep James, not only because he can adapt fairly quickly and easily but also his importance to the side as a whole.
Eager to improve in new surroundings
Milner admitted that 'the move to come to Liverpool and take that mantle on myself was more of a selfish move' from his perspective, but he's not just looking for regular first-team football. Also, he's looking to 'contribute to success' at the club - something that has eluded Brendan Rodgers during his three-year tenure at Anfield thus far.
Rodgers was a major contributing factor to Milner's decision earlier in the summer, as he was promised an opportunity to play in the central midfield role - whereas at City, he was mainly deployed on either flank.
Central midfield his preferred role
In 2010, he earned a £26million pound move to City from Aston Villa. In his five-year spell with the blue half of Manchester, he totalled just over 200 appearances, which is something to be proud of considering the assumption that English players struggle at the Ethiad.
Hard decision to make
He said he hoped to prove his quality now he's in his preferred role - where he has enjoyed a rather encouraging pre-season with his new team-mates. Also, Milner stated he wants to 'look back' at his career with the feeling that he 'was the best player' that he could possibly be, as opposed to featuring in a bit-part role.
Lastly, he looked back at the decision to make a move, calling it 'probably the hardest one that I've had to make' because he was 'able to be at home' and 'lucky enough to win trophies there.'