Legendary left-back Gael Clichy knocked back a mystery transfer to Scotland in favour of Switzerland's Servette.
The 35-year-old French international won three titles in England across spells at Arsenal and Manchester City and he left Istanbul Basaksehir after they clinched the Turkish top flight.
Clichy said an unnamed side in Scotland was interested but he opted to head closer to home in the form of Geneva side Servette - despite slating astroturf pitches that are in use by two clubs in the Swiss Super League.
Clichy said: "I could have extended my contract at Basaksehir in Istanbul and played in the Champions League there.
"And there were offers from clubs in Scotland, England and Belgium.
"But I decided with my family to move to Geneva so that my children can attend an international school there. Servette was an obvious choice. In autumn I asked if they were interested. And then we agreed on a deal.
"There is a lot of quality in the Swiss Super League, but the only thing that bothers me is the artificial turf. I've never had to play on artificial turf in my entire career.
"I consider it to be a health-endangering imposition that has no place in professional football."
Clichy won the Premier League with the Gunners in 2004 and with City in 2012 and 2014.
