Former Kerala Blasters goalkeeper Graham Stack has given some insight into the reasons for his surprise move to India.

The ex-Arsenal gloveman opted to leave his homeland of England for the Indian Super League least year following four seasons with Barnet.

Stack, now with National League side Eastleigh, explained to The Guardian of his decision to take a massive risk and head over to India to try his luck.

"It's the same for so many footballers," he said.

""You are getting to that nervous stage where your contract is coming up quickly and you are thinking, is this it?

"I had loved my time at Barnet and wanted to stay, but then the contract came up and I spent a summer without pay trying to earn another one. I eventually was offered one with Barnet, but I also had this offer which came out of nowhere with Kerala. I decided to take a gamble and go to India.

"It was incredibly difficult leaving my family. I was missing my son's first day at school and my wife's birthday. It was especially hard knowing that I wouldn't see them for months.

"I arrived in India and, within the first hour, it was sensory overload just like everybody tells you. I was shoved out of the way in a queue, then I got in a taxi with a driver going at full speed through the city. I just felt I had to go with it and embrace it."

Stack added: "It's certainly a bit of an adjustment, you can find yourself playing in games with a few hundred people, and you think back to 60,000 fans screaming in Kerala.

"I am grateful to be home and doing what I love, but also so pleased to have got the opportunity to play in India and hopefully play at the start of something big."