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Gareth Bale keen to see more Brits playing abroad

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has told The Independent he would encourage British footballers to move abroad and said "the sky is the limit" for Liverpool's Raheem Sterling.

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Bale opted to leave Tottenham last summer for a move to the Bernabeu and, despite a difficult start due to fitness troubles, soon established himself as a kay player in the side that claimed Champions League and Copa del Rey glory.

The Wales international is one of only a handful of leading British footballers to leave the UK, but Bale said he would happily advise others to experience a new culture if they believe they can thrive.

"I think the most important thing is you feel it's the right move," he told the newspaper. "If you feel you're going to play then I would encourage a British player to go abroad. I've enjoyed every minute of it -- the new culture, the new life. I felt like I wanted to challenge myself. It's down to the player himself whether he can kick on."

He said he had no problem adapting to life at the Bernabeu, with former Premier League players, including his ex-Tottenham teammate Luka Modric, helping him to settle in.

"For me, it was quite easy," he said. "I went in the first day and the ones I knew -- like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka, Xabi Alonso -- all gave me advice. The team's very good like that. We all respect each other as players and as people, so whoever comes in will be made to feel very welcome."

Bale said England winger Sterling, who was linked with a move to Madrid during the summer, had the ability to reach the very top.

"If you look at Raheem Sterling, I think he's shown what a good player he is," he said. "He's starting to perform more consistently. If he keeps working hard and doing what he's doing then he's going to keep progressing and the sky is his limit."

The 25-year-old also said he feels he is "improving all the time" at a club he describes as "the best and biggest" in the world.

"I've learned a lot, in terms of possession and making the right decisions, when to attack and when to keep the ball," he said, adding: "I definitely feel I can keep improving every season, improve my game in training every day. We're expected to try to win every trophy. We want to win every trophy. We'll give our best."