Shunsuke Nakamura said that he will have to become a faster player now that he is in the Spanish league as he was presented to more than 6,000 Espanyol fans yesterday. “I want to thank everyone who made it possible for me to be here,” the former Celtic midfield player said.

“I am proud to get this welcome. This increases the pressure but once I am on the pitch I will give my all to return this affection and give fans reasons to celebrate. I will have to improve in every area, especially to adopt a faster playing style, both physically and mentally.”

The 31-year-old Japan player joined Espanyol on a two-year deal last month, with an annual wage estimated at €1.2million (about £1.03million), as his contract with Celtic expired.

He won three Scottish Premier League titles during his four years at Celtic Park from 2005 to 2009. The former Scottish Player of the Year said opted he chose to go to Spain despite the offer of a return to his Yokohama Marinos, his home-town club, a decision which caused consternation among the J-League club's fans, because he had dreamed of playing in La Liga since he was a child.

Hundreds of fans greeted the player as he arrived in Barcelona for a medical on Saturday, prompting Spanish media to compare him to Cristiano Ronaldo, the new Real Madrid signing from Manchester United, who was welcomed by 80,000 fans at his presentation last week.