Samel Umtiti admits Lecce has rescued his career.

The France defender has rediscovered his love for the game during his season-long loan from Barcelona.

Umtiti told Canal+: "The ones spent in Catalonia were four years in prison. Not just on a sporting level but also of everyday life.

"I was really feeling bad, I preferred to stay aloof. At first I was fine and I expressed myself at high levels, then I started to feel a little distrustful of myself and I realised that no one believed anymore in myself.

"Lecce was a challenge for me, I needed to feel appreciated, respected and useful. I am well aware that saving yourself is not like winning a title, but I am grateful to Lecce because here I have found a smile again. The future? Now I'm only thinking about Lecce and I'm focused on staying up."