Club Brugge right-back Clinton Mata has revealed he was an option for Fulham in the summer transfer window.
The Cottagers were busy across the window, with Scott Parker bringing in no fewer than 12 new players following promotion from the Championship.
Improving his defence was seeming a priority for the Fulham boss, with Parker pretty much overhauling his options in that area and seven of his new recruits defensive ones.
Several players arrived to fill each position, with Kenny Tete and Ola Aina coming in as options at right-back as Cyrus Christie was loaned to Nottingham Forest.
He, though, wasn’t interested in a joining a mid-table club when he’s challenging for the title in Belgium.
“Hertha BSC and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim made me a proposal,” he told Het Laatste Nieuws, relayed by Voetbalkrant.
“My name was also on the table at Bayer Leverkusen, VfL Wolfsburg and Schalke 04. Fulham was also concrete.”
“It was not a difficult decision at all. I feel good here, I am welcome, and I play for the prizes.
“Then why should I leave? To play football elsewhere for 15th place? No thanks. In addition, the board has made a financial effort to keep me.
“I want to thank them for that and give something back on the field.”
