Hamburg new signing Ruud van Nistelrooy explained why he preferred the Bundesliga over a return to the English Premier League. The 33-year-old striker signed for HSV from Real Madrid, shunning interest from England. "I could have joined a Premier League club as well, but I've already had five great seasons in England. I wanted a new challenge and I'm very excited to play in the Bundesliga now," Van Nistelrooy told to Bild. "The conversations with president [Bernd] Hoffmann and head coach Bruno Labbadia made me enthusiastic about HSV, and compatriots Joris Mathijsen and Rafael van der Vaart convinced me that Hamburg is the right club for me. Van Nistelrooy, who has been struggling with injury in recent months, should be match-fit by the start of February.