Defender reveals Stoke snub

Ivory Coast defender Kanga Akale has revealed why he rejected a possible switch to Stoke in favour of a move to Spain.

The 27-year-old had been linked on a number of occasions with a transfer deadline day move to the Britannia Stadium but instead opted to sign for Spanish side Recreativo Huelva.

"La Liga will be better for my game," Akale told L'Equipe newspaper. "In England, technical players struggle if they do not play for the big four. It would have been difficult for me."