French star William Gallas admits it only took Perth Glory coach Alistair Edwards half an hour to convince him he should move to Australia and join his A-League club.
The former Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham defender will link up with the Glory as their international marquee next month after agreeing to a one-year deal last week.
“I feel good, I feel very excited to be in Australia,” Gallas told Fox Sports in Cannes, France on Wednesday.
“I don’t know that country, but I spoke with some people who are from Australia and from Perth and they said I will love it.”
One of those people was Edwards, with whom he consulted after talks with Ange Postecoglou and Melbourne Victory broke down.
“We spoke for maybe 30 minutes and after what he said to me, I decided with my agent to go to Australia,” he said.
“For me, it was very important to have a new challenge.”
The two-time English Premier League champion hasn’t played a match since April, when he featured for Tottenham against Basel in a Europa League fixture.
But the 36-year-old insists he is fit and looking forward to the opportunity to take on a leadership role at his new club.
“I trained for almost four months by myself, so I’m very happy because now I’m ready,” he added.
“I prefer to speak on the pitch. That is my job. But now I have to take that responsibility (as a marquee player), because it would be the new responsibility for me.
“I won’t go there and straight away to say `that was wrong’. No, no.
“It’s very important to bring that mentality of the warrior (and make sure) the guys would like to win every game.
“If the players can respond to that, I think it would be good for the team and for the club.”
Gallas is slated to play his first game for the Glory on November 16 at home against Adelaide United.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Great response!,everybody who's put on the green and gold in the past year has performed outstandingly.Yeah i'll say it again for you laughing boy,Thwaite is one of the most technically gifted center backs in the A-League,only Sainsbury and Contreras to compete with as far as composure on the ball.
baankskis
Guest
Yep. Thwaite ripped it up recently playing for Australia.Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Gallas and Thwaite,ability wise I don't think theres a defensive pairing in this league that could touch them.Having such technically gifted players for CB's is crucial for the possession based play out from the back type football that Alistair Edwards(and most coaches in the A-League)are trying to implement.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
Defenders also offer more than forwards in terms of development of other players, Perth's young defenders will learn a lot from him with all his experience. Where as a striker is more likely to "Just give me the ball and watch".
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
There was talk before the season as to whether a defender could be a true marquee signing. This is the sort of case where you could say it is. He is a well known name who's played in top teams in top leagues and will bring a touch of class. Good signing.