Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp advised Ilkay Gundogan to move to the Premier League this season, the Germany international has revealed.
Klopp said the playing style in England's top division would suit the creative midfielder, who joined Manchester City in June.
Gundogan, who had worked with Klopp at Borussia Dortmund for four seasons, winning the double in 2011-12 as well as reaching the Champions League final in 2013, scored on his debut for City against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Gundogan told Sport Bild magazine: "To be honest I asked [Klopp's] advice, if the Premier League was the right thing for me. He said 'yes' and believed I would feel very well here and that the playing style would be perfect for me.
"It was good to have my impressions confirmed."
The 25-year-old, who had a year remaining on his Dortmund contract, was City's first signing after Spanish coach Pep Guardiola became the new boss at the Etihad.
Gundogan was injured at the time, having dislocated a kneecap in training in May which ruled him out of Euro 2016, but he is now back to full fitness.
"[Guardiola] has this amazing charisma," Gundogan added. "Anyone with a bit of knowledge of football can see that football under Pep is always extremely dominant and extremely successful.
"It means a lot if he wants a player. I was the first he wanted to bring here and I was still injured at the time so that says something."