Thursday 2 July 2015 16:31, UK
Sylvain Distin says joining Bournemouth was “the right thing to do” at this stage of his career, adding he wants to enjoy playing football again after a disappointing season with Everton last term.
Distin made just 18 appearances for Everton during the 2014/15 campaign in all competitions and joins Bournemouth on a free transfer after his contract at Goodison Park expired.
The 37-year-old, who signed a one-year contract with the Cherries, trained with his new club for the first time on Thursday and said newly-promoted Bournemouth is the right club for him.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, Distin said: “The most important thing is to play football. This decision for me is the right decision at this point of my career.
“After what I went through last season I needed to enjoy football again and here was the place to enjoy my football.
“I didn’t want to wait too long either because when you go away and come back for pre-season in August it is a bit difficult to get back into it.
I needed two weeks to think about what I really wanted to do and once I made my mind up to play football I just had to pick a club and they (Bournemouth) came in and for me it was the right thing to do.”
Distin has a wealth of Premier League experience after spells with Newcastle, Manchester City, Portsmouth and Everton, but he does not believe it will have an effect on his team-mates.
“I don’t come here as a superhero or someone who is going to bring experience," Distin added. "You have to gain experience and you get that game after game, everybody goes through it in different ways.
“It’s very difficult and very personal at the same time to explain how the Premier League is. Everyone has different experiences of it, they’ll go through tough times but the most important thing is to enjoy it.”
