Arda Turan says he turned down several offers to join 'the best club in the world' after Barcelona unveil new £29m man

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Arda Turan was officially unveiled as a Barcelona player on Friday
The 26-year-old turned down several offers to sign for Catalan club
Turkey international plays down idea he is replacing 'one of a kind' Xavi
Turan says that he will be fulfilling a dream by signing for Barcelona
Barcelona news: CLICK HERE for all the latest from the Nou Camp

Published: 03:59 EST, 10 July 2015 | Updated: 09:53 EST, 10 July 2015

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Arda Turan admitted he has dreamt of playing for Barcelona ever since he was a child, after being unveiled at the Nou Camp.

The Turkey international completed his £29million switch from Atletico Madrid this week, and put pen to paper on his lucrative five-year deal at a press conference on Friday.

Turan had admitted he would be nervous at the unveiling, after being pictured next to the club crest on Thursday, but the 28-year-old spoke gleefully at having finally made the switch to the La Liga champions.

Arda Turan was unveiled as Barcelona's new £29million signing at a press conference on Friday

Turkey international Turan will not be able to play until the club's transfer ban is lifted in January

Arda Turan signs on the dotted line for Barcelona at Camp Nou

'I'm happy to come to the best club in the world, the best stadium, and I am going to play with the best players. I'll try to give the best I've got,' Turan told the gathered media.

'Those who know me know that I've dreamt of playing for Barca since I was a kid. I received lots of offers, but when I heard from Barca I pushed all the others aside.'

Turan took the sting out of claims he has been earmarked as a replacement for Xavi after the iconic midfielder departed the Nou Camp to join Qatari side Al Sadd this summer following 17 years with the Spanish champions.

'Nobody can take Xavi's place because he's one of a kind in the world of football. He'll always be a symbol of Barca - he is a unique figure not only at Barcelona but as an icon of world football,' Turan added.

Turan, who will not be able to play until the club's transfer ban - imposed for irregularities in signing young players - is lifted in January, believes he can fulfil his potential at Barcelona and lavished praise on new teammate Lionel Messi.

'I don't think that anyone has ever been like, nor will anyone ever be like, Messi,' Turan continued. 'I've always liked having to really fight in order to win - I can play better or worse but I always try to do my best and I want to win everything. I think here people will see the best Arda.'

Turan believes he can fulfil his potential with the Catalan club after making the switch from Atletico Madrid

The 28-year-old will hope his tenacious playing style will help him forge a strong relationship with fans

'I don't care about my shirt number. I'll decide that after talking to my new teammates,'

'I'm a team player and I want to be a part of the success of the whole team. I spoke with Luis Enrique before signing and I also got a message [Andres] Iniesta.'

'What is important to me is to adapt to Barca's playing style as quickly as possible. As soon as I signed my contract and pulled on the shirt, I started to get nervous and I wanted to start playing. I hope these six months pass quickly.'

The former Galatasaray man, who will use the upcoming months off the pitch to acclimatise to his new surroundings, was shown round the city by officials as they discussed the potential options for where he could live, pointing out that Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano both live by the sea.