Ruud Van Nistelrooy has claimed that he rejected a return to the Premiership to fight for his place at Real Madrid.
The Dutch striker was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, but has decided to remain with the Spanish giants.
He said: “The easiest thing for me to have done would have been to leave for a lesser team.
“But I’m not going to leave Madrid. I want to know what I’m capable of. There are still a lot of options when it comes to playing.”
“I know I can play at the highest level,” he said. “Physically, I feel better than before the injury.
“I only need to find my rhythm and that will come with matches. The doctor who operated on me said I could play for three more years.
“And when I retire from football I won’t have any problems. Before the injury I didn’t feel good. I lost three years.”