Atletico Madrid's new right-back Kieran Trippier has said that he "needed to move on" from Tottenham Hotspur due to what happens behind-the-scenes at Spurs.
The England international signed for the Spanish club earlier this month for a fee believed to be worth around €22 million (£20 million). He became the first player from England to join the Madrid club in 95 years.
Speaking about moving away from the North London club, Kieran Trippier said, "I think it was time for me to change and move on.
"I don't necessarily mean that I needed to move on, but things happened behind the scenes at Tottenham, which I don't really want to go into, but I needed to move on from that."
The right-back played 65 minutes in Atleti's pre-season friendly against city rivals Real Madrid on Friday night in New Jersey. He was replaced by Carlos Munoz, who has come through the club's youth ranks.
Speaking after the game to Sky Sports, the 28-year-old said settling in at the Spanish club has been made easier by the help of ex-Chelsea strikers Alvaro Morata and Diego Costa:
"It's been a lot easier than I expected. Since I've been through the door they've welcomed me with open arms, the coach as well.
"Especially those two - they've been brilliant with me, Morata and Costa. They've been explaining to me what it means to play for Atletico and what it means to the fans."
Diego Simeone's team kick-start the new La Liga season with the visit of Getafe to the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday, August 18th.
When joining the 10-time Spanish champions, Kieran Trippier said he is looking forward to learning under the Argentinian manager, "from watching Atletico over the years you see what he demands of his team, his work ethic, giving everything for the team, and how close the players are with the staff and the club.
"I wanted to be a part of the family here. He is for me one of the best managers in the world, so it is a privilege to play for him and give everything I can for him."
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