´My only goal was to put on the red shirt,´ Berbatov says

Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov said Tuesday his last-minute 30.7-million-pound (37.7-million-euro, 54.7-million dollar) transfer to Manchester United was a dream come true.

“My only goal was to put on the red shirt… I am happy that everything ended in the best possible way and that my dream to play in such a classy team came true,” Berbatov told a press conference in Sofia.

This was the 27-year-old's first public appearance since his transfer saga with Tottenham ended.

“It was a tough month,” a visibly tired Berbatov told the press, who greeted him with a round of applause.

“I lived between euphoria and despair… I have never been through anything like this,” he added.

The transfer fee paid for Berbatov is the highest ever paid for a Bulgarian player and the forward enjoyed a hero's welcome at home after a far from bright goodbye at White Hart Lane.

Berbatov's last days in Tottenham were clouded by his desire to leave the club.

Boss Juande Ramos also lost patience with the unsettled striker, leaving him out of the squad for Tottenham's Premier League clash against Sunderland on August 23, claiming he was not “focused enough.”

But Berbatov said Tuesday he “would never let himself utter a single bad word about Tottenham.

“Tottenham gave me the chance to show what I had in me and I will always be grateful to the club, its players and fans,” he said.

He also thanked United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for putting his trust in him.

“From now on it is hard work that follows. I will put every effort to find my place in the team, live up to the expectations and make the fans happy,” Berbatov added.

He said United might be his last stop as a player as he is 27 already, but added he wished no more.

“Can you go higher from Manchester United?” he concluded with a wink.