Alex Song has made a shock admission that he “didn't think twice” about leaving Arsenal after seeing how much Barcelona would pay him.
Legendary former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger brought the 34-year-old Cameroonian midfielder to north London in an initial loan deal in 2005.
Song would permanently leave French side Bastia in 2006 and established himself as a regular under Wenger from the 2008-09 season.
The former Arsenal player scored 10 times in 205 appearances for the Gunners, with Song lifting a League Cup during his seven seasons at the club.
Song, who now plays for Djibouti-based side AS Arta/Solar7, would leave Arsenal in 2012 and complete a £15m transfer to Barcelona.
Speaking to Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam on Instagram (via The Sun), the ex-Cameroon international revealed he was “ecstatic” when he first signed for Arsenal.
“Most footballers live beyond their means. I was at Arsenal for eight years but only began to earn a good living in the last four,” Song said.
“That was because my salary went up a lot -- but also because I came to realise what a waster I was.
“When I first joined them, I was getting £15,000 a week. I was a young lad, and I was ecstatic.
“I wanted to rub shoulders with the big boys. I could shop wherever I wanted and have crazy nights out.
“I would go to training and see Thierry Henry -- the King -- turn up in an absolute gem of a car. I told myself I wanted the same car at all costs.
“I went to the dealership, signed the papers and arranged to pay for it by standing order -- and just like that I had the same car as the King.
“But I swear that I had to hand the car back inside two months. All my money was going on filling it with petrol.
“I told them: ‘Give me a Toyota -- this car’s too much for me.’
“When I next went to training, Thierry asked me: ‘Where’s your car, son?’ I told him it's on a higher level than me.
“During my entire time at Arsenal, I couldn't even save £100,000, while people thought I must be a millionaire.”
Song managed 65 appearances for Barcelona during his two seasons at the Camp Nou and won a La Liga title and Spanish Super Cup.
The former Barcelona and Arsenal player was later loaned out to West Ham and his contract with the La Liga club was terminated in 2016.
Song admitted that he didn’t regret leaving Arsenal for Barcelona and claimed the move was motivated by money, with the player not giving a “f**k” about his lack of minutes at the Camp Nou.
“When Barcelona offered me a contract, and I saw how much I would earn, I didn't think twice,” he said.
“I felt my wife and children should have comfortable lives once my career is over.
“I met Barca's sporting director, and he told me I would not get to play many games, but I didn't give a f**k -- I knew that now I would become a millionaire.”
Featured Image Credit: Alex Song's Instagram/PATopics: Barcelona, Arsenal, La Liga, Spain, England, Premier League, Football
Adnan Riaz