Harry Kewell revealed Galatasaray were the pick of several clubs interested in him after signing a two-year deal with the Turkish champions on Saturday.
The 29-year-old arrived in Istanbul on Friday evening before putting pen to paper on a deal after five seasons at Liverpool.
Kewell turned down a contract offer with Liverpool in May and entered the current transfer window as a free agent, with many clubs across Europe chasing his services.
He was reported to be heading to Celtic, Italy's Roma or English Premier League side Portsmouth, but Kewell admitted Galatasaray quickly won him over.
"They're a great club," he told Sky Sports News. "They showed faith from the very start.
"There were other clubs out there but they were persistent and treated me very courteously.
"There are a lot of nice people over here, it's a great country and I'm looking forward to it.
"There were a few other clubs involved, other English clubs, but Galatasaray showed a lot of faith in me and were very strong from the start and that's why I signed for them.
"It's a new chapter for me, I'm looking forward to it. They've got a great young squad, I'm looking forward to meeting with the boys and training with them."
Kewell played against Galatasaray eight years ago when he was with Leeds in a UEFA Cup semi-final which was overshadowed by the stabbing to death of two Leeds fans on the eve of the match in Istanbul.
His move to the club has attracted criticism from Leeds fans, but Kewell is hoping the negative press will be short-lived.
"It was a tragic thing what happened but we can't live in the past," he continued.
"We've got to look to the future and that's what I'm concentrating on.
"I gave a good nine years to Leeds and left on good terms, there shouldn't be any bad feeling."
The move to Turkey also seems set to end Australia's hopes Kewell would represent them at the Olympics in Beijing next month.
The striker had said if he was without a club, he would consider representing the Olyroos as one of their three over-age players.
But Kewell admits the decision is no longer in his hands.
"The Olympics Games depended on whether I had a club or not," he explained.
"Now I do and it's down to Galatasaray (whether I play). If they want me to go then fair enough but my first priority is to play for Galatasaray."
The 29-year-old arrived in Istanbul on Friday evening before putting pen to paper on a deal after five seasons at Liverpool.
Kewell turned down a contract offer with Liverpool in May and entered the current transfer window as a free agent, with many clubs across Europe chasing his services.
He was reported to be heading to Celtic, Italy's Roma or English Premier League side Portsmouth, but Kewell admitted Galatasaray quickly won him over.
"They're a great club," he told Sky Sports News. "They showed faith from the very start.
"There were other clubs out there but they were persistent and treated me very courteously.
"There are a lot of nice people over here, it's a great country and I'm looking forward to it.
"There were a few other clubs involved, other English clubs, but Galatasaray showed a lot of faith in me and were very strong from the start and that's why I signed for them.
"It's a new chapter for me, I'm looking forward to it. They've got a great young squad, I'm looking forward to meeting with the boys and training with them."
Kewell played against Galatasaray eight years ago when he was with Leeds in a UEFA Cup semi-final which was overshadowed by the stabbing to death of two Leeds fans on the eve of the match in Istanbul.
His move to the club has attracted criticism from Leeds fans, but Kewell is hoping the negative press will be short-lived.
"It was a tragic thing what happened but we can't live in the past," he continued.
"We've got to look to the future and that's what I'm concentrating on.
"I gave a good nine years to Leeds and left on good terms, there shouldn't be any bad feeling."
The move to Turkey also seems set to end Australia's hopes Kewell would represent them at the Olympics in Beijing next month.
The striker had said if he was without a club, he would consider representing the Olyroos as one of their three over-age players.
But Kewell admits the decision is no longer in his hands.
"The Olympics Games depended on whether I had a club or not," he explained.
"Now I do and it's down to Galatasaray (whether I play). If they want me to go then fair enough but my first priority is to play for Galatasaray."
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