Mario Gomez has made it clear why he chose to leave European champion Bayern Munich for Fiorentina.
The Germany striker believes that by transferring to a smaller club he'll get more playing time and have a better chance of staying in form for next year's World Cup.
''My transfer may seem strange to some people. I had everything in Munich. But here I have the chance to play in view of the World Cup,'' Gomez said at his presentation Monday.
Gomez added that new Bayern coach Pep Guardiola recommended Fiorentina to him for the Tuscan club's attacking style developed last season under first-year manager Vincenzo Montella.
Gomez scored 112 goals in 172 games for Bayern across the past four seasons.
His reported transfer fee was ?20 million ($26 million).
''The arrival of a champion like Gomez confirms how strong our ownership is,'' said Fiorentina sporting director Daniele Prade. ''It's an ownership that allows us to battle against Goliath on equal terms.''
About 15,000 fans welcomed Gomez at the Stadio Franchi.
''All this enthusiasm is great, it gives me a lot of energy,'' Gomez said. ''I feel a lot of responsibility and I want to win.''
