DC United striker Christian Benteke has admitted he left Crystal Palace for MLS after feeling there was “less consideration” for him at Selhurst Park.
The Belgian forward moved to DC United in August last year, joining in a €5.46m deal as Patrick Vieira reshaped his squad.
It brought an end to a six year stay with the Eagles, who he joined in a €31.2m deal from Liverpool in August 2016.
He had been a key a player for much of those six years, scoring 37 goals and registering 12 assists in 177 games for the club during his time there.
But he had increasingly found himself out of the picture under Vieira, whose forward options also included the likes of Odsonne Edouard, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew.
It meant competition for Benteke was fierce, to say the least, and he elected to depart Crystal Palace for a more regular spot under Wayne Rooney at DC.
His presence at the club was particularly key in the deal, according to the striker, who has detailed why he decided to make the switch to America in an interview with Le Soir.
“I was playing a lot less at Crystal Palace, I felt there was less consideration for me. Then my agent told me that D.C. was interested. I also had the opportunity to talk to the manager (Rooney).
He’s part of the reason I came. He knows me and knows how to use me on the pitch. So it was really important to be in a place where the coach wants me.
“In Washington, at least, life is relaxed, it’s a bit like London. It doesn’t even feel like the US, there’s no bling, it’s more of a family atmosphere. It has nothing to do with Miami or Los Angeles, for example.
“And it’s true that I’m less recognised in the street here by the fans than in England. I have to admit, that’s what I was looking for. It’s still nice to be able to go for lunch or to go for a walk, without necessarily having to stop all the time to take photos.”
