Stevan Jovetic has revealed that he rejected a move to Real Madrid in order to join Manchester City.

The 24-year-old was a member of Italian side Fiorentina during the 2012-13 season where he scored 13 goals and five assists in 31 games; the year before that he scored 14 in 27 games.

"There was also Real Madrid, but I chose City. [City defender Matija] Nastasic and I talked a lot, he convinced me. I decided to come here because there is a major project with many players," he admitted, according to ESPN. "I never regretted the choice. Sure these four or five months have been difficult at the beginning because I was not playing, I got injured often, but now it is all behind me.

"I never doubted myself even in the most difficult moments. I knew that I could play in this team and now I have to prove that."

The forward has not had a great time with the team thus far and has yet to fulfill his promise. He has only played in five games for the club and has recorded just one goal; his year has been plagued by injuries and there is hope that more time on the pitch will breed results for the young Montenegro forward.

He noted that while City was his first choice, he almost wound up in Turin to play for the Old Lady.

"If I would have not gone to Manchester City, I would have gone to Juventus," he stated.