Former Lyon and Fulham striker Moussa Dembele is delighted with his first weeks at Al-Ettifaq.

Dembele admits the presence of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as head coach was a big influence.

He told Foot Mercato: "I joined because the opportunity presented itself and the club wanted me badly. It's a very exciting project that I wanted to be a part of.

"It happened pretty quickly. My agent has known the family that presides over Al-Ettifaq for years. They knew each other personally, even before they were president of the club. There was a time of negotiation, but it was quick because I wanted to go and they wanted me as a priority.

"All professional choices are oriented with the aim of earning more money. It's part of professional development. Earn more money and thrive. There will always be those who give lessons. Even you journalists change channels to make more money. For example, some leave Canal+ to join beIN Sports and earn more money. There is nothing different about footballers. The more I earn, the more I give. There is my parents' village in Mali in which I plan to develop many things to make the lives of the people there more pleasant.

"It's a whole. The financial, the overall project of the league to invest to make it more competitive, the culture, discovering a new country. Saudi Arabia is a country of football enthusiasts."

On playing for Gerrard, Dembele also said: "Yes, of course, 100%. I spoke to him on the phone and he explained to me that I was his number one choice in attack. We talked about tactics and how he wanted to play and use me and it clicked straight away.

"Our relations are excellent. He's a football legend and he knows what he wants. He has a culture of winning and surpassing oneself which reminds me a lot of what I knew in England at Fulham, then at Celtic and Atlético de Madrid with Diego Simeone."