Philippe Senderos has explained his reasons for leaving Fulham to join Valencia on deadline day.
The Swiss centre-back joined Los Che in a surprise transfer on Friday, ending a three-and-a-half-year spell at Craven Cottage.
Senderos admitted the proposed move to Spain had stunned him but said the opportunity to play La Liga and in the Europa League was too good to pass up.
"They told me about the interest from Valencia really late on. I was just completely focused on working with Fulham," Senderos told reporters.
"However, I think that this is a great opportunity for me and that is why I accepted it.
"I really want to play in La Liga and playing for Valencia is a great challenge for me.
"I know that we can challenge to play in the Europa League again and go a long way in the competition."
Valencia are currently sitting eighth on the Spanish table as they get set for their Europa League Round of 32 first leg meeting with Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine on February 20.
