Cincinnati Bengals linebacker James Harrison has revealed that it was not a difficult decision for him to join the club despite having played for their bitter rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers for nine years.

The 35-year-old was released by the Steelers at the end of last season and was immediately snapped up by the Bengals.

"It's really not hard to switch allegiances," Harrison told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It's about where I'm making my money.

"If you go to a different newspaper you're not going to be loyal to your other one, are you? It's a job. Yeah, I enjoyed the guys I worked with. I'm thankful for everything they did for me and the Rooneys did for me.

"But right now, I'm with the Bengals and I'm going to put everything I have into helping the Bengals win just like I did when I was with the Steelers."

Harrison faces his old club on Monday.