Toni Kroos has revealed he decided to move to Real Madrid only after winning the World Cup with Germany.
The 24-year-old admitted he had been approached by the Spaniards, and “all the biggest clubs in the world”, prior to lifting the World Cup, but it was that triumph over Argentina in the Maracana which made up his mind for him.
“I wanted a change,” Kroos, who joined Real Madrid from Bayern Munich last week for a fee reportedly in the region of £20 million, said.
“The first time I gave it any thought was when contract talks with Bayern hit the buffers. Bayern were always my first contact and that is why I had always ruled out making contact with any other clubs.
“When we were unable to reach an agreement and several interested clubs, including all of the biggest clubs in the world, approached me, I decided to try out something new.
“Winning the World Cup then tipped the scales.”
Kroos insists his decision to join Real was made in favour of the Champions League holders and not against Bayern.
“I have played in one of the best clubs in the world, and was a regular under many different coaches in recent years and I was always able to feature, despite the fierce competition,” Kroos added.
“I was always taken excellent care of at Bayern too. My aim was to experience something new.”