Stam Snubbed Real

Lazio's wall of a defender Jaap Stam has let it be known that he passed on the chance to join Real Madrid during the summer.

According to the domineering Dutchman, several factors played into his decision not to sign for the Spanish titans, namely Lazio's faith in him and the fact that his plans to return to Holland in two years was incongruent with Real's insistence on a one-year contract.

"Lazio have told me that they don't want me to go," he explained to World Soccer. "I'm happy with that."

"My contract at Lazio runs for another two years, and then I intend to return to Holland and see if a club wants me there," he added. "I have been abroad for a long time now and I'm keen to play out my career in my own country."

"Real asked about me, and I like the club, but I want to play for another two years, and I don't think they were prepared to give me a two-year contract."

"I didn't want to go to another country for one year as my wife is about to have twins and it was too much upheaval."