Steve Finnan has revealed that Liverpool's Spanish players convinced him to come to Espanyol.
The Republic of Ireland international made the switch to Espanyol on deadline day as Albert Riera travelled in the opposite direction to Anfield.
Finnan admitted last week that the transfer had come 'out of the blue' but he decided it would be a good move after speaking to the likes of Jose Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso.
Paco Herrera, a former coach at Liverpool and currently Espanyol's sporting director, had also played a part.
"Herrera and the Spanish players spoke very well of the club," Finnan explained to reporters as he was presented as an Espanyol player.
"Liverpool is a great club, but the truth is that I was not playing and sooner or later I was going to have to leave, so I came here.
"This is a club that has done some big things in the past five or six years. They are proud that they reached the Uefa Cup final and the Copa del Rey final twice."
Finnan is keen to fit in as quickly as possible and even realises that he may have to learn two languages to fully integrate in his new surroundings.
"I want to learn Spanish, and Catalan if possible, quickly so that I can understand everyone," he said.
Espanyol president Daniel Sanchez Llibre was also delighted that a deal was done for Finnan so soon after seeing Pablo Zabaleta leave the club to join Manchester City.
"The agreement with Liverpool was done very quickly and the player took three minutes to agree," he stated.
"Finnan knows where the club is heading, who we are and he wants to succeed in Spain like he did in England."
The Republic of Ireland international made the switch to Espanyol on deadline day as Albert Riera travelled in the opposite direction to Anfield.
Finnan admitted last week that the transfer had come 'out of the blue' but he decided it would be a good move after speaking to the likes of Jose Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso.
Paco Herrera, a former coach at Liverpool and currently Espanyol's sporting director, had also played a part.
"Herrera and the Spanish players spoke very well of the club," Finnan explained to reporters as he was presented as an Espanyol player.
"Liverpool is a great club, but the truth is that I was not playing and sooner or later I was going to have to leave, so I came here.
"This is a club that has done some big things in the past five or six years. They are proud that they reached the Uefa Cup final and the Copa del Rey final twice."
Finnan is keen to fit in as quickly as possible and even realises that he may have to learn two languages to fully integrate in his new surroundings.
"I want to learn Spanish, and Catalan if possible, quickly so that I can understand everyone," he said.
Espanyol president Daniel Sanchez Llibre was also delighted that a deal was done for Finnan so soon after seeing Pablo Zabaleta leave the club to join Manchester City.
"The agreement with Liverpool was done very quickly and the player took three minutes to agree," he stated.
"Finnan knows where the club is heading, who we are and he wants to succeed in Spain like he did in England."
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