Al Ahli signing Oussama Assaidi has paid tribute to Stoke City.

Liverpool cut short his loan with Stoke to sell the winger to Al Ahli last week.

"My period at Stoke was wonderful," said Assaidi.

"I thought I was one of the better players and I did well in the first season, but this year I didn't play so much.

"At first, Stoke didn't want to let me go, but I did everything I could for them to let me come here.

"I was disappointed after they (Liverpool) didn't let me leave in the summer, but the second time they said 'OK' and now I'm very happy to be here."