Panathinaikos keeper Luke Steele has said that the appeal of playing Champions League football instantly attracted him to the idea of leaving Barnsley this summer.

The former England Under-21 international was given a free transfer by the Tykes after they were relegated from the Championship last season.

Despite having offers to remain in the Football League, Steele said that the lure of a new life helped make his mind up and he hasn't given up on trying to force his way into the England senior side.

He told the Daily Mail: "There's all the culture surrounding the place and I live by the sea, so it's drastically different from the streets of Yorkshire. People ask how I've adapted but it's not like I've gone to Mars.

"I didn't have any regrets staying that long but I needed to be put out of my comfort zone. This is a new life and a new beginning. The adventure really appealed to me, being thrown in the deep end.

"I'll be 31 by the time I finish here and, being realistic, I can play for 10 more years. I never think my chance [of a call-up] has gone."

Steele made 209 appearances during a six-year stint at Oakwell.