Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 8y

Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa feels wanted in Granada after loan from Malaga

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is hoping for better fortune in his one-year loan at Granada after struggling for minutes at Malaga.

Ochoa starred for El Tri at the 2014 World Cup and signed with Malaga from Ligue 1 minnows Ajaccio in the aftermath, but he was swiftly relegated to the bench behind No. 1 Carlos Kameni.

The 31-year-old featured in just 13 matches last term and sealed a loan move to Granada last weekend.

The former Club America stopper said he didn't think twice in considering the move to Granada because of how intent the Andalusian side was on signing him.

"[I signed] to be in a place where they want you and try to get the best out of you," said Ochoa in his introductory news conference on Tuesday.

Ochoa stated he was also attracted to Granada by coach Paco Jemez, who is known for playing an attacking brand of football, even with teams in the lower half of La Liga.

The Mexican trained for the first time on Tuesday with his new side and said his goal this summer was to stay in Europe, rather than come back to Liga MX.

"I'm at an ideal age as a goalkeeper, because a goalkeeper has a longer career than an outfield player," explained Ochoa. "I'm happy because my priority was to stay in Spain and the last two years have helped me to take on this new challenge.

Ochoa debuted in La Liga on March 5 and started the remaining games of the season, with Kameni out injured for the majority of them.

Malaga finished the 2015-16 campaign in eighth position, while Granada were one point above the relegation spots in 16th.

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