Zikos explains Monaco move

The 28-year-old is performing superbly for the Principality side, and reportedly attracted interest from Torino, Udinese, Manchester United and Liverpool when becoming a free agent in the summer.

Didier Deschamps won the chase for his signature after being impressed by the Greek international's performance in one particular Uefa Cup tie at San Siro for AEK Athens.

"I kept remembering the Uefa Cup encounter against Monaco," Zikos explained.

"I remembered a great team.

"Moreover, Monaco were most interested and the quickest.

"I was free of any contract.

"After five years spent at Xanthi, in a little club, and four at AEK, I reached the end of my contract.

"Personally, I wanted to stay at Athens, especially as the team qualified for the Champions League.

"But I couldn't reach a financial agreement with the officials."

The midfield man is determined to win his place back in the Greek national side, after so far failing to earn a call-up from Otto Rehagel.

"I cannot explain why I am excluded," he told L'Equipe.

"Perhaps it is normal that they don't call me.

"But it is not normal that they never come to see me play."

(Photo courtesy of aek.com)