Alvaro Arbeloa has likened leaving Real Madrid to falling from heaven but he says he is happy to have landed at West Ham.

Asked why he picked the Hammers by Spanish radio station Cope, Arbeloa said: 'I thought about it long and hard this summer but West Ham is a club that suits me in all ways – the coach, the fans, the stadium, the city.

'It's difficult when you leave Madrid. It's like when you leave heaven, it's difficult to pick a new place on earth but this option is is right for me. At Madrid you have the very best of everything. But I'm very content because I am where I want to be.'

Alvaro Arbeloa holds the West Ham shirt after signing on a free transfer from Real Madrid

Former Spain international admits departing the Bernabeu was like leaving heaven

ARBELOA LEAGUE 2015-2016 Appearances: 6 Goals: 0 Chances created: 1 Pass accuracy: 85 per cent Duels won: 53 per cent Yellow/red cards: 1/0 Advertisement

Arbeloa had vowed not join another Spanish club and kept his word despite the best efforts of Espanyol to sign him. But he admitted it was AC Milan that came closest to preventing him from arriving in London until the deal break down because of the club's Chinese takeover.

He said: 'The conversations were very advanced. But it's true that it [purchase of the club by Chinese investors] complicated things. Then this option came up and I'm very happy.'

The full-back (left) will not be mixing with the likes of Barcelona rival Lionel Messi anymore

Arbeloa has Premier League experience after a spell at Liverpool between 2007 and 2009

REAL MADRID HONOURS UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16 FIFA Club World Cup: 2014 UEFA Super Cup: 2014 La Liga: 2011–12 Advertisement

When it was suggested to Arbeloa that playing in a full Olympic Stadium was much better than playing in a half-empty San Siro, he replied: 'Yes. The capacity is 60,000 and I think there are 50,000 season ticket holders already, so they will fill it.

'This was a chance to come to the Premier League and above all to come this year when not only does it have the players but it has attracted the top coaches and the competition is very open.'

The Spaniard will call on countryman Santi Cazorla to help him settle in London

Arbeloa admitted fitting into his new environment will be aided by having friends who know the city.

'I have had help from Roberto Soldado who was at Tottenham and from Santi Cazorla,' he said. He also made assurances about his fitness despite not having played yet this season.