Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns new acquisition Toni Silva says coming to play for the Brazilians was not motivated by money, but to get his career back on track. 

The former Benfica and Liverpool youth development player stated that his struggles in Europe in recent years also played a part in him seeking a fresh start in the South African Premiership. 

Silva admitted that people close to him questioned his decision to leave Europe for Africa, but felt Sundowns deserves his services after chasing him for the last two years. 

The attacking midfielder caught the attention of Sundowns playing for Guinea Bissau against Bafana Bafana two years ago in Durban. 

Silva told Metro FM: "To be honest, if it was for money I would be here. If it was for money I would not have come to South Africa. 

"Its private when you sign your contract, you can't tell people what you sign and what you are getting, but if it was for money I wouldn't have come here. 

"Even the agent who brought me showed that I have offers from Egypt. A big offer that I could not believe, there is a lot of money they offered me in Egypt. 

"But the reason I came to South Africa is because Sundowns have been trying to sign me from two years ago and also I speak the language, but in Egypt I do not speak the language. 

"To be honest, when people realised I'm going to sign here, I had many messages from agents telling me, why do you go to Africa, if you go to Africa you taking four steps backwards? 

"The country is like Europe here. I like the condition and like things that Sundowns have. They have things that somebody can improve and become a good footballer. I decided to come to Africa to see if things will work out because it did not work out in Europe at many countries."