Sunderland winger Emanuele Giaccherini admits he agonised over his decision to leave Juventus.
The midfielder left Juve and Champions League football over the summer.
"Leaving Juventus was a very difficult decision to make," he said from Italy's training base on Wednesday.
"It was hard because I left many friends, teammates and a Coach in Antonio Conte who made a difference to my career.
"I'm happy with the choice I made though even if I had to give up a top club like Juve.
"I considered a number of factors and not just the economical one. It was a lifestyle choice too, that allows me to play with more regularity."
