Newcastle United defender Sven Botman admits Dutch great Patrick Kluivert had an influence on his move.
Kluivert had a spell with Newcastle and talked up the club as Botman considered his options while with Lille.
Botman said: "In England, Newcastle United is a big club. In Europe, AC Milan are the team with the history in European competitions and playing regularly in the Champions League.
"But I know Newcastle are a really big club, and with this project and the goals we have, if we can achieve that in a couple of years, yeah I think we could become a big club in Europe, that every player will want to go to."
Before signing, Botman also revealed he spoke to a player that knows both Newcastle and AC Milan better than most. Botman added: "Yes I spoke with one former Newcastle player in Patrick Kluivert.
"They had a lot of Dutch players in the late 1990s. What you know automatically about Newcastle is that they are a very big club and they have played Premier League football for a long time.
"They normally play in the top flight and I know last season was a little bit tricky. They have had some good seasons and they have been back and forwards too. But with this new project I think we can make new history. I certainly hope so."
