LONDON -- Serge Aurier claims he persuaded Lucas Moura to join Tottenham ahead of other clubs and says the Brazilian has moved to London to have fun again.
Lucas completed a £24.5 million move to Spurs from Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday and, shortly afterwards, he was introduced to a record Premier League crowd of 81,987 at half-time of their 2-0 win against Manchester United at Wembley.
Aurier, who made the same move in the summer, spent two years with Lucas in Paris, where the pair were close on and off the pitch.
"I'm happy. I'm really happy to have him here," said right-back Aurier shortly after the Spurs squad was introduced to Lucas. "I spoke a lot to him before his arrival and I reassured him. I think he made the right decision. He had other opportunities, but I think it's the best choice for him and for his career.
"I told him it's an ambitious club, a beautiful club with a really good team. I think he was looking for somewhere where he could have fun again and he has come to the right team.
"It's a spirited group here, which is not afraid of welcoming new players and in that regard I know what I'm talking about. So he simply made the right choice and now I just hope he's going to adapt as quickly as possible."
Like Aurier, Lucas was forced down the pecking order by more expensive signings at the Parc des Princes and he has made just six substitute appearances this season amid competition from Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
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The Brazilian was among the most coveted young players in the world when he joined the Ligue 1 club from Sao Paulo for £33.5m in 2013 but Aurier says he holds no grudges against PSG coach Unai Emery.
"I think he knows a coach make choices and even if he was disappointed with the amount of time he played there, he is now coming here and finding joy again," Aurier said.
"It's important for a player to feel confidence and joy and here it's an ambitious club, it's a young group, it's a really young group, I think one of the Premier League's youngest so it's a really good choice for him.
"Regarding the coach's choice in Paris, I think everybody wants to play. It's hard for everyone when a coach make his decisions, I think he understands that but I think it's behind him today and I hope he's going to quickly start smiling again at Tottenham."
PSG are cruising to the French title, leading second-place Lyon by 11 points, but Spurs are 20 points shy of Premier League leaders Manchester City.
Asked if Lucas had come to England to be a champion, Aurier laughed: "We are a bit late for that! But if later this year we succeed in winning something, a cup or something like that, I'm going to try and make him say thank you in English! I think it will be much appreciated by everyone."
Speaking to Spurs' official website, Lucas said: "Serge said a lot of good things about the club, about the coach, about the fans. He's crazy! He's a very nice guy and an amazing player. I'm so happy to play with him again.
"I'm so, so happy. It's a new chapter in my life, a new challenge for me. I've joined a big club with big players and I look forward to playing and helping the team.
"I can play in the Champions League, which is a big objective for me and to make new friends is always a pleasure. I will give my best for this club. I think we have a lot of quality and I think we can win big things."