Dusan Tadic: Leaving Southampton for 'dream' club Ajax was easy decision

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Dusan Tadic has revealed it was an easy decision to leave Southampton for 'dream' club Ajax because he had nothing left to prove in the Premier League.

Tadic, who played as Serbia lost 2-0 to Brazil in Moscow on Wednesday to exit the World Cup, has signed a four-year contract with the Dutch club for an initial £10million, which could rise to £11.4m

He spent four years at St. Mary's, scoring 23 goals in 162 appearances for the club.

The winger said: "I'm very happy because Ajax is one of the biggest clubs in Holland and the world. It was always my dream to be at Ajax. It was an easy decision because I had a lot of opportunities in the Premier League and other countries but I think Ajax is best for my future.

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"I did good in the Premier League. In four years, I was for three [of them] in the top five best assisters in the Premier League and probably in the top ten of creating chances. I'm very proud because Southampton is not the biggest club in the Premier League and the Premier League is the toughest league in the world.

"I showed I can play there at high level. I had beautiful years with Southampton - great club, great people, great supporters - and I'm very proud of my four years."

Tadic said he was leaving Saints with the blessing of manager Mark Hughes, who guided them to Premier League safety after replacing Mauricio Pellegrino in March.

"I'm sure that Mark Hughes, with his assistants Eddie [Niedzwiecki] and Mark [Bowen], will do great for Southampton. I wish they had come before," Tadic said.

"It was a pleasure to work with them. They will do a great job without me and I felt it was a moment for me to leave. We [me and Hughes] had a message today. I'm pleased to work with him and his assistants, they're great people, great coaches. They're best possible choice for Southampton. All people in Southampton should be happy to have them at the club.

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"I'll miss supporters. And you're very good journalists," joked Tadic. "Very honest! It was nice to work with everyone and I was very pleased with everything. What can I say? The Premier League is the best league in the world and you [the English media] should be proud of the standards.

"What will I not miss? The weather! No, seriously, There's nothing I won't miss. I really enjoyed football. It was a pleasure every day, every moment. Everything was nice."