Perr Schuurs admits the opportunity for regular minutes at Torino was a major factor behind his decision to choose the Serie A outfit over Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur or Liverpool, speaking to Voetbal International.
You won’t find many players who would rebuff the advances of two of England’s biggest clubs in order to join a side who finished tenth in Italy’s top flight last term.
But, after slipping behind Jurrien Timber in the Ajax pecking order, Schuurs put first-team football over even Champions League action and the prospect of silverware.
The Dutch U21 international joined Torino in an £8 million deal in August.
And, with nine Serie A starts under his belt already, Schuurs is convinced that the decision he made four months ago was the right one.
Perr Schuurs rejected Tottenham, Liverpool and PSG when leaving Ajax for Torino
“I now dare to say that I am very happy with my choice,” the centre-back explains. “And I already feel very at home here. I had four fantastic years at Ajax. But I am 23 years old and want to play every week. In the end it was very simple; if Jurrien (Timber) stayed, it would be better to leave.
“I did have good conversations with Alfred (Schreuder, Ajax coach). He really wanted to keep up with me and promised a lot of minutes. I definitely need you, he said.
“Top clubs were also interested, I will not deny that. But, as I said, I wanted to play as much as possible. Otherwise, I would have stayed with Ajax. Originally the idea was to go from the Netherlands to Germany one day. The Bundesliga is great and I speak the language.
“But the story of Torino was the deciding factor. They see a chance for me to become an even more complete defender and, one day, take the step to the absolute top.”
Sitting ninth heading into the World Cup break, Ivan Juric’s Granata side look well-placed to build on last season’s top half finish. And it’s difficult to imagine that Schuurs would have played such a front-seat role had he opted to join forces with Antonio Conte or Jurgen Klopp instead.
“Clubs of the calibre of Tottenham, Liverpool and PSG moved to take the player,” agent George Gardi tells Tuttosport.
“In addition to Liverpool, Tottenham and PSG, three Italian clubs also wanted Schuurs. However, having chosen a path, we went on to follow it without delay. With a strong conviction. Thanks to Torino, I am sure Schuurs can become a pillar of the Dutch national team.”
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