MANCHESTER, March 20 -- Javier Mascherano said on Tuesday that he is relishing his move to Hebei China Fortune after ending a seven-and-a half-year spell with Barcelona in January.

The 33-year-old has thus far been deployed in midfield by Fortune coach Manuel Pellegrini, having been mostly used as a center-back during his time at the Camp Nou.

He said he harbors no ill-feelings toward Barcelona and insisted that the transfer was of his own volition, based on a desire to play regularly.

"The change was my own decision, it did not mean that I was sad or disappointed," Mascherano told reporters.

"I chose to leave Barcelona because I thought I couldn't exercise the role of previous years. I didn't see any sense in not having continuity. I could have stayed a year-and-half more to complete my contract but I'm of the opinion that you should make your own decisions about moving on," he said.

"I had the possibility of going to China, a league totally different to [Spain], where I could have the opportunity to play regularly, and in the midfield, which is where I like the most, where I played from the beginning," he also explained.

Mascherano was speaking after arriving in Manchester, where Argentina are training ahead of their international friendly against Italy at the Etihad Stadium on Friday. The Albiceleste will then confront Spain in Madrid next Tuesday.

Despite his preference for playing in midfield, the former Liverpool, West Ham, Corinthians and River Plate man said he is willing to play where he is needed for Argentina's national team.

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