Pontus Jansson has revealed why Leeds United sanctioned his surprise departure from Elland Road.
Jansson, a favourite with Whites fans, left Marcelo Bielsa's side on Monday evening for Brentford after three years at the club for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £5.5 million.
The Swedish international impressed during his time with Leeds, helping his old side to a third-placed finish last season and a place in the play-offs only to miss out through injury.
Twenty-eight-year-old Jansson becomes the third player to depart Leeds for a fee this summer, following Caleb Ekuban and Jack Clarke out of the door to Trabzonspor and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
And, in an interview with Aftonbladet, a newspaper in his homeland, he's revealed the reason Leeds sold him.
“Leeds needed to sell to balance the books because of Financial Fair Play (rules) and they saw that they could make some money out of me," he said.
Jansson's departure for Brentford raised eyebrows because it was expected a Premier League move could have been on the cards when news broke he would be on his way out of Leeds.
Brentford finished 11th last season, with head coach Dean Smith departing mid-season for Aston Villa.
The Bees ended their campaign 19 points off Leeds last campaign - but Jansson can see a bright future in West London.
"I told Martin (Dahlin, the agent) that I wanted to be in England when it became this situation," he added.
"There have been several flattering suggestions from different clubs, but I enjoy it and have made a good name in this country.
"My ambition is to play in the Premier League, but I also do not want to wait for the right club from the Premier League to appear later this summer and risk losing this chance.
"I felt early on that Brentford was the right choice for me. It is a carefully thought out choice."
