Serbia star rejected Magpies
06 Nov 2007 - 08:48:53
Sevilla defender Ivica Dragutinovic has revealed that he turned down the chance to sign for Newcastle United in the summer.
The 31-year-old Serbia international has opted to pen a new deal with Sevilla that will keep him with the UEFA Cup holders until June 2011.
Dragutinovic confirmed on the La Liga side's official website: "If I had gone to Newcastle, I would have earned much more money than here.
"I did not sign for Newcastle because it is difficult to win something there, I know that I'm not going to play in the Champions League or lift a title.
"In Sevilla, there is always ambition, always the desire to win, for me this is why I stayed here, with my family, with the best fans in the world, with my team-mates and with this ambitious club.
"We have a better team than last year. We need to get back Javi Navarro soon, because he is a leader which is what we need. We need everyone, Enzo (Maresca) as well, because it is a long season and there are many games.
"We have quality, great footballers and the best fans in the world."