Major League Soccer clubs and Saudi Arabian sides were interested in the 30-year-old Portugal playmaker but he decided on a move to Stamford Bridge after a disappointing year with Barcelona.

"If I wanted to go somewhere for the money I wouldn't have come to Chelsea," said Deco.

"There were many other places that offered much more money, the money I wanted I could have gone to Saudi Arabia or the United States.

"It's not about the money. Obviously money is important but not that important, I have plenty of money, more than I need, so for me I wanted to go to a place where I could have better objectives and to still have this challenge to win games.

"If I wanted money I could have stayed in Barcelona - I had two years left on my contract, which was a lovely contract.

"It was a sunny and lovely place to live but I want to have new challenges, more objectives and the will to win more trophies - and that is why I came to Chelsea. If it was for money I would have gone somewhere else."

Deco has won the Champions League with Porto and Barca, and he is determined to match Clarence Seedorf's record of three trophies with three different sides.

"I saw the final and Chelsea were much better in the second half but that is the way the Champions League is, you need a bit of luck," he added.

"I hope that not only do I bring luck but we have the luck that was missing last time around."