Tottenham centre-back Toby Alderweireld said the appointment of Jose Mourinho as manager was a big factor in his decision to stay at the club.
The 30-year-old signed a three-and-a-half year extension to his current deal in December even though most thought he would leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Alderweireld- who has been in north London since 2015- admitted he could have earned more money elsewhere, but insisted he was happy to remain with Spurs.
Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph he said: "Financially the club made a good effort that showed me they really wanted me so that gave me respect. I could maybe earn a lot more somewhere else, but then I chose loyalty, that's worth something as well.
"I talked to my wife, we have a second kid on the way. First of all, I asked her: 'What do you want?' She said she's happy to stay, she loves it here, but that I can choose whatever I want."
Alderweireld also admitted the lure of playing under Mourinho was another factor in his decision to remain at Spurs.
He added: "Then, of course, the last step was the manager, who really believed in me. I had a good connection with him from day one.
"After five, six years with the previous manager, with a lot of respect to him, maybe to give a different wind, that helped a bit.
"At the end, when I think back, there wasn't really a doubt to stay."
Alderweireld has been an ever-present since Mourinho took over at Spurs, playing in every minute of the Portuguese's tenure so far.
It remains to be seen whether he is selected for the FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough on Sunday, with Mourinho looking to deliver Spurs their first piece of silverware since 2008.
