Brahim Diaz claims Real Madrid are the only club he would have left Manchester City for.
The highly-rated teenager was formally unveiled as a Real player on Monday after passing a medical and completing the formalities of his £22million switch from the Etihad Stadium.
The 19-year-old Spanish forward made only 15 first-team appearances for City but was regarded as one of their most promising academy graduates and was offered a lucrative deal to stay.
👍 @Brahim Díaz📸 #WelcomeBrahim#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/M74dnOgQgY — Real Madrid C.F.⚽ (@realmadrid) January 7, 2019
But Diaz, who had just six months remaining on his City contract, says he had no hesitation in opting for Real.
"When I was told of Real Madrid's interest I didn't think twice about it," said Diaz at his presentation at the Bernabeu, which was broadcast on Real Madrid TV.
"Today is the most important day of my life, arriving at the team I dreamed of playing for when I was a child. This is the best present for me for Christmas.
"When I decided to leave Manchester City I only thought about three options. The first one, play for Real Madrid; the second one, play for Real Madrid and the third one, play for Real Madrid.
"I didn't want to go anywhere else. It was impossible to go to a better club."
Diaz, who will wear the number 21 shirt at Real, spoke to media and posed for photographs on the pitch in front of fans.
Coming after the loss of Jadon Sancho in 2017, Diaz's departure is another blow for City's much-vaunted academy with the youngster sensing there may be better first-team opportunities elsewhere.
🔵 All the best. pic.twitter.com/1qnJfNtrif — Brahim (@Brahim) January 6, 2019
Diaz, however, had no bad words for the club he joined from Malaga at the age of 14.
He said: "I am really grateful to City for they helped me a lot but I am very really pleased to be here now at the biggest club in the world. I really just want to get started."
City are understood to have secured a basic £15.5million fee for Diaz with a potential extra £6.5million in add-ons. The deal includes a 15 per cent sell-on clause but that rises to 40 per cent if the buying club are Manchester United.
Diaz has signed a six-and-a-half year contract with the European champions.
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