Former France International defender Bacary Sagna says he is very excited about the upcoming season and the next step in his career.

The ex-Arsenal and Man City full back, who starred in Italy’s Serie A in recent months whilst playing for minnows Benevento, is upbeat about joining a new club and beginning a new adventure elsewhere.

Sagna told FootballFanCast.com: "I signed a short term contract with Benevento and did this in the knowledge that I was joining a club who were very much cut adrift at the bottom of the table at the time.

"It was the challenge that intrigued me more than anything else but despite a big effort from the players, it was ultimately not enough to save the club from relegation.

"The highlight of my time there was the victory at the San Siro against AC Milan, that was a special night for the club and I will always remember the Benevento fans, who are so passionate. They always made me feel very special and because of those wonderful fans, many of whom had been messaging me asking me to stay, perhaps my heart ruled my head a little as I left the door open to possibly staying with them.

"Unfortunately, local reports that I have agreed to sign a new deal with the club are inaccurate and somewhat wide of the mark as my time there has now drawn to its natural conclusion.

"I have always been an optimist and I can’t wait to begin working with a new group of people, to make a new group of friends, to listen to fresh ideas."

"The last few months of playing in Serie A have brought some great compliments from players, coaches and media pundits about my football and it is always nice to attract those kind of comments from respected people within the game.

"I have always lived a clean and healthy life. I have continued to maintain my own fitness regime outside of my club duties and I am feeling as good as I have ever done. I feel strong and positive that I have another two or three years of playing top level football still in me.

"I am in the fortunate position that I am a free player so there are several options open to me. Exactly where my next challenge is going to be is unknown at this moment but in football you must always have the burning desire to win, to keep improving, to be one hundred percent professional.

"If you have that, all things are possible for a club. I still hold my own ambitions and my next move will be to a club that thinks likewise. You must never lose the ambition to keep improving, no matter what position you hold in life.

"I have always been an optimist and I can’t wait to begin working with a new group of people, to make a new group of friends, to listen to fresh ideas.

"Football brings many wonderful things into your life. I have just returned from Prague after playing in Tomas Rosicky’s farewell match at the weekend, it was a fantastic occasion and it was so great to catch up with Tomas and so many former team mates again.

"It was a real joy to be part of that."

[brid autoplay="true" video="252976" player="12034" title="Watch 21 things that will definitely happen at the World Cup"]