Fulham boss Martin Jol has claimed that he played a major part in Dimitar Berbatov joining the club this summer.

Berbatov's future was the subject of much speculation throughout the transfer window, with the striker almost completing a move to Italy before finally deciding to stay in England.

Jol snapped the 31-year-old up for the second time in his career having already landed him while he was in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, and the Dutchman believes that their relationship was instrumental in Berbatov's decision.

"He had other options at that time and he still made that decision to come to us, to me, to Tottenham," Jol said.

"So I think that is the sort of relationship I've got with him because there was probably even a bigger club then coming in for him and he still wanted to come to Spurs. But we shouldn't stretch our imagination and I think Berbatov could have gone to Italy. He was on the fringe of going to an Italian club.

"Then I spoke to him and maybe that convinced him. If he plays well like he did the other day, there will always be a good relationship."

Berbatov has made a good start to his Fulham career, scoring two goals in two games so far.