Malang Sarr admits his move to Chelsea last summer was a surprise.

The former Nice defender signed for Chelsea as a free agent ahead of joining Porto on a season-long loan.

"I was training on my own, training at home and just waiting. I had been almost six months without playing, and when my agent told me about this opportunity to come here to Chelsea, I was surprised and happy," Sarr told the Londoners' official website.

"It was a great opportunity for me. He talked to me about going on loan for the first year and for me it was a good idea. I hadn't played for a long time and I needed to get the rhythm and to play and have a good experience also, step up after Nice, and come back stronger and ready to go."

Sarr is now keen to build on his Porto experience with Chelsea, who knocked his Porto side out on their way to lifting the Champions League.

"I hope to join the team and help the team to the top," he said.

"They finished the season as Kings of Europe. I'm here to help and to let the team stay at the highest level, trying to bring all the good energy and my work to the team. I know the club is ambitious and I am ambitious as well, so it's a perfect match.

"It's a pleasure to be here, starting to work, we are working very hard and very well so I'm happy. I have enjoyed being here.

"I have spoken a little bit with the manager, he knows I speak French so we have been talking. I have a good feeling here; everybody is very good with me. I can feel everybody is ambitious here.

"They want to work and they really want us to give the best every day, and that's a good thing because that's how I see things. I really want to work hard every day and try to improve in every aspect."