Ayoze Perez moved to Leicester City because he did not feel Newcastle United were motivated to 'keep growing and to get better'.
The Spaniard completed his £30m move to the King Power Stadium last month after the Foxes activated the minimum release clause in his contract.
ChronicleLive previously revealed that Perez's camp were hopeful Newcastle would 'like to aspire to great things' but they felt that 'things would not change' after Rafa Benitez's departure.
Since Steve Bruce was appointed as head coach, the Magpies have signed three players - Joelinton , Allan Saint-Maximin and Jetro Willems - and broken their transfer record as they look to fill the void Perez and Salomon Rondon have left.
So did Benitez's exit play a part in Perez's decision to end his five-year stay on Tyneside?
"It was a big factor, but also I felt it was time for a change and a new challenge," he told the Athletic.
"In this case Leicester gave me such a great opportunity to come here. The ambition of the club and the way they are doing the right things was very important in my decision. Also, as soon as Rafa left the decision was easier.
"Things could be done better over there at Newcastle, but Leicester have given me the opportunity to do great things hopefully. There is big ambition.
"I think how football works, the way you have to look at football, that is the difference between Leicester and Newcastle. There is big motivation here to keep growing and to get better here at Leicester. I didn't feel they had it at Newcastle.
"That is why I signed here and made the decision. I am very happy to be part of the family."
