Guy Melamed turned down late and lucrative offers from Portugal and Poland because his heart was set on signing for St Johnstone.
After the Israeli striker’s contract with Meccabi Netanya was torn up, several options opened up for him.
But a career in British football is his goal and he believes Perth is the perfect place to get it started.
Melamed is currently in quarantine in a local hotel, counting down the days until he can train with his new team-mates and hit the ground running in the Premiership quickly after.
“It was a stressful summer, especially the last few weeks,” he told Sport 1.
“It was a summer of uncertainty, an unpleasant summer that you start with a team that does not play you and also the market was very stuck because of the corona.
“Groups were afraid to put their hand in their pocket, but inside I believed until the last minute that a good offer would come.
“I gave up an offer from Russia because I was not ready and was looking for a place in Europe.
“But in the end I was surprised by the amount of offers that came in at the last second.
“There was an offer from Portugal for a lot of money and also interest from Poland.
“I preferred to go abroad and try to maximize myself there and see how far I can go.
“There were several teams in Israel interested, such as Betar and Hapoel Tel Aviv, but none really provided an offer that exceeded the opportunity to go to Europe.
“In the end, the offer from Scotland was what I was looking for.”
What a Guy 😍 #WelcomeGuyMelamed pic.twitter.com/iIYtZAlOA2
— St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) October 5, 2020
Melamed watched Saints lose narrowly to Celtic on Sunday and was impressed with the standard of football on display.
“Being in Britain is a kind of bubble, there are a lot of transfers here in this area, for example to the English league,” he said.
“It is very difficult to get into this bubble but now I have entered it, my goal is not to leave this area – but to be here at least five to six years. But first of all, to succeed with my group who have believed in me.
“Anyone who is here knows that it is a very respectable place and football here is like culture.
“I got to see the game against Celtic last weekend and there was a very high level.
“It was classic British physical and tactical football.”
The 27-year-old added: “I am in isolation at the moment but I spoke with the coach and the CEO.
“They explained to me how much they wanted me and were happy that I had come.
“In the meantime, I received a special bicycle for my room in the hotel to keep fit until I got out of the isolation.”
