Steven Defour says he turned down a new contract offer from Anderlecht and a better financial deal from the Middle East in order to join Burnley.
Defour, 28, is expected to seal a move to Turf Moor this week. Anderlecht confirmed last Friday that they had agreed a fee with the newly-promoted Premier League side, with sources telling ESPN FC that he has travelled to England to finalise the deal.
Some reports in the Belgian media had tipped the tough-tackling midfielder to accept a more lucrative offer from Al-Jazira in the United Arab Emirates.
Burnley are reportedly paying €9 million for Defour and the outgoing Anderlecht captain said he favoured a sporting challenge rather than potentially easier money.