Alex Song says opportunity to swap Arsenal for Barcelona was 'once in lifetime'

Barcelona midfielder Alex Song (GETTY IMAGES)

Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song has said the opportunity to join Barcelona was too good to turn down.

The Cameroon international joined the Spanish giants in a £15m move over the summer, but while the 25-year-old found it impossible to resist, he admits it was difficult to turn his back on the Emirates.

"It was in July. Barca spoke with Arsenal and Arsene Wenger came to tell me," Song told El Mundo Deportivo.

"It was hard to convince him and also say goodbye because he really helped me and my family when I arrived at Arsenal at 17 years old.

"When a club like Barcelona want you you can't say no.

"A chance like this only happens once in life and you must take it."

It would appear that the lack of trophies in his seven-year spell at Arsenal influenced Song's decision, as it has others who have left the Emirates, including Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas.

"I'm hungry. I've never won anything and I have come here to play many games and win it all," he said.

Song, predominantly a midfielder, could be called upon to play in defence for the Catalans in their upcoming games, including a meeting with Real Madrid early next month, with Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique both suffering from injury.