Former Manchester City forward Nolito has insisted he had to make the move to the club, despite the fact it proved to be a disastrous one.
The Spaniard is currently plying his trade for Celta Vigo, who he joined from Sevilla in June last year.
It is his second spell with the club, where he starred for during a three-year spell between 2013 and 2016 before a £16.2m move to Manchester City.
Despite five goals and six assists in 30 games for City in his sole year there, his time at the Etihad has largely been written off as a poor one, with him struggling to establish himself under Pep Guardiola during his time at the club.
Most players would look back on the move with regret, but, speaking to Mundo Deportivo, he insisted that ‘it was a step that had to be taken’, although he admits leaving Celta Vigo was done ‘with all the pain’.
At 34-years-old, a move to the likes of Manchester City or another big club is now out of the question and instead, he is simply looking to end things on a high in Spain.
“At Celta, it is where I have been happiest,” he added.
“I have affection for all the teams I have been in, but at Celta, it is where I have been most comfortable.
“If I can, I will retire here. Not only have I been happy, but also my family because two of my daughters were born in Vigo.
“I hope I live very good moments with Celta. I’m very happy to be able to continue for another year; it’s what I wanted.”
