St Etienne midfielder Jordan Veretout admits he chose Aston Villa over Leicester City last summer.
Veretout left relegated Villa last month to join St Etienne.
He told But Football Club: "If I had the choice between Aston Villa and Leicester? Yes, but initially there was Aston Villa. I received an offer and I went to Birmingham to meet with the leaders.
'When Leicester knew about it, coach Claudio Ranieri called me and said, "Well, Jordan, I know you. I saw you at work when I was coaching Monaco and I'd like you to join us in Leicester'.
"It's just life ... I experienced the Premier League with Villa, and although it did not go well personally, I played my season with 29 matches. Of course I would have preferred to be first rather than last, but it's like that ...
"Who would have thought last summer that Leicester would have such a season?"