Kodai Sano has now been a PSV player for ten days, following the Eindhoven club's agreement with NEC over the transfer of the Japanese midfielder.

The move brought an emotional end to Sano's time in Nijmegen. After PSV and NEC reached an agreement, the 22-year-old decided not to feature for his former club in their Champions League qualifying match away to Olympiakos, which ended 0-0.

Speaking to De Telegraaf, Sano has explained why he made that decision and acknowledged that walking away from NEC was far from easy.

Sano remains grateful for the role NEC played in his development but felt the opportunity to join PSV meant he had to consider the next stage of his career carefully.

“I have so much to thank NEC for. The club has been so good to me. But I also had to make the most sensible decision for my career,” Sano said as quoted by PSV Inside.

The midfielder was particularly concerned about the possibility of suffering an injury after the transfer had finally been agreed.

“There had already been opportunities to make a transfer before, but every time it didn't go through. And now there was an agreement. So should I still go and play with the risk that I would get injured and the transfer still wouldn't go through?”

For Sano, there was also a mental element to his decision. With his move to Eindhoven already taking shape, he felt he could not approach such an important fixture with complete focus.

“I decided not to do that, also because I wasn’t fully mentally there. What would happen if I made a big mistake because of it? I decided not to take that risk, but that was not an easy decision,” the PSV player explained.

Sano informed NEC coach Dick Schreuder that he wanted to return to the Netherlands rather than travel with the squad. The decision caused irritation, but Sano stressed his respect for the manager.

“It was difficult to tell him that, because I have so much appreciation for Dick. He has been very important for my development. His way of playing football fits well with my qualities.”

He also reserved praise for Rogier Meijer, who gave him important opportunities during his time at NEC.

“But I am also grateful to Rogier Meijer for all the opportunities he has given me,” Sano added.

Despite Sano's departure, NEC produced a memorable result in Greece, eliminating Olympiakos on home soil. Schreuder's side will now face Norwegian club FK Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League play-offs on Wednesday evening.

Sano was pleased to see his former teammates continue their European adventure.

“I’m very happy for everyone at NEC and I’m grateful for the great time I had in Nijmegen. I learned a lot.”

Now, the midfielder's attention has fully turned towards PSV, where he has begun the next chapter of his career.