Rafa Benitez insists he had bigger offers than Dalian Yifang after being named new coach of the Chinese Premier League club.

The former Newcastle manager signed a contract reported to be worth £12million-per-year with the Chinese club after leaving Tyneside due to his contract expiring at the beginning of this month.

"I have had offers of greater financial significance during my career, but they weren't the project I was looking for," Benítez is quoted as saying on his official website.

"What I have found at Dalian is an incredible project that has arrived at the perfect time and this has been a major factor in my decision.

"We've accepted the challenge of leading a superb project with the full backing and confidence of the club's leadership team.

"Over the last years many players and coaches I know have arrived in China, so I have been able to follow the Super League as much as possible.

"It's a competition with its unique qualities so we will have to know how to adapt, but our path forward is clear. Dalian Yifang is an historic club in one of the most football passionate cities in the country, so this is an added attraction."