Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong says he moved to newly promoted Russian side FC Ufa to give something new a try.
The former Arsenal player was expected to remain in England after being released by relegated Barnsley at the end of the season.
He had a trial at Sturm Graz in Austria and was reportedly offered a contract by OFI Crete in Greece but decided on a move to Russia, and now he has explained why.
"At the end of last season I told my agent that I wanted to try my luck in a new country,†he told local reporters.
“When there was one in Russia, I agreed immediately, because your league is one of the best in Europe. There are a lot of strong players. For me it is a challenge. A new country, a new language."
Frimpong has been criticized on micr-blogging website Twitter for his move to an obscure to get his career re-started.