EXCLUSIVE: New Swansea signing Canas says Welsh club are the 'most famous team in Spain' and how Laudrup and Flores were key in his Premier League



Jose Canas has revealed that rave reviews from Chico Flores and the presence of Michael Laudrup were key factors in his decision to join Swansea City – the ‘most famous team in Spain’.



The Spaniard is understood to have snubbed larger wages at West Brom in order to sign a pre-contract agreement in south Wales, with his free transfer from Real Betis set to be formally ratified on July 1.



He arrives in south Wales at a time of uncertainty at the club following the bitter public spat between chairman Huw Jenkins and Laudrup’s representative, Bayram Tutumlu, but the midfielder, 26, insisted he only ever wanted to join Swansea once they made their interest clear in January.



Tussle: Jose Canas battling with Mesut Ozil when Real Betis played Real Madrid

In his first interview with a British publication, Canas told Sportsmail: ‘The Premier League is the place where everyone wants to be now, and Swansea City is very attractive in the league due to the way they play, the manager they have and the friendly club that it is. I could not let this opportunity go to be honest.



‘The manager was a quite important point. I had several options abroad and the fact that the manager knows you obviously helps when making the decision. His style of play is quite attractive and I do not think I will have any difficulties to fit in quickly.



‘We had some options but Swansea was on top of them from the beginning - they showed strong interest and that was important to me.’



Canas will become the fifth member of Swansea’s Spanish contingent, joining Pablo Hernandez, Michu, Angel Rangel and Flores, with whom he shares an agent.



Reputation: Michael Laudrup has a big influence in Spain due to his time there as a player

He added: ‘I knew them all from playing against them in Spain. I know Chico the best as we are both from Cadiz and have been playing against each other since we were kids.

'I spoke to Chico and he said he has enjoyed the season at Swansea very much so I am pretty excited to join them all.



‘Swansea have become very famous in Spain. Actually, together with Wigan, it is the most followed premier league club in Spain.



'Matches are always on TV and press coverage is quite big in Spain about the club and its Spanish footballers.’



Friend: Chico Flores was also important in Canas moving to England

Canas let his Betis contract run down after nearly a decade at the club, but he believes his move to the Barclays Premier League will mark a ‘step forward’ in his career.



‘It was actually very hard to say goodbye to my club for the past 10 years,’ he said. ‘It is a step forward in my career but still I was sad to say goodbye to Betis and its fans.



‘Now I want to get used to the team and the league and go little by little. Playing in Europe is an exciting thing and Swansea City, as a Premier League club, has to do well in that competition.’