Vitoria goalkeeper Bruno Varela has sung the praises of Chelsea midfielder Hakim Ziyech.

The pair had a year together at Ajax before they went their separate ways last summer. Varela had joined Ajax on a season-long loan from Benfica, spending much of the spell with Jong Ajax.

However, the Portugal U23 international revealed Ziyech always made himself available to help him settle at the club and in Amsterdam. Indeed, Ziyech was eager to make sure Varela didn't feel isolated.

He recalled to Voetbal International via Voetbalzone: "Hakim has a big heart. I must honestly say that I had a completely different opinion about him beforehand.

"We played against him with Benfica and he seemed a bit of an arrogant guy. In the end he was one of the nicest and most modest guys I have met at Ajax."

Varela contined: “He tried to talk to me from the start, 'Do you need anything? How are your family?'.

"'You can always come to my house and eat. I don't want you to be alone'."

Varela admits he moved to Ajax having read about Ziyech and his reputation, but found a completely different personality inside the dressing room.

He added: "I was completely wrong about him and I really love him. Now I play with Ricardo Quaresma and the same applies to him. People think he is arrogant, but he is also a good guy."

With Ajax, Varela did taste both Dutch Cup and Eredivisie action before leaving last summer for Vitoria. Back in Portugal, the 26 year-old is now a first-choice for Vitoria, featuring 20 times so far this term.

Ziyech, meanwhile, left Ajax for Chelsea after agreeing to a move in the second-half of last season. The midfielder has managed 20 appearances for Chelsea in an injury-hit first campaign in England, scoring twice.

- updated February 22