Japanese international defender Koji Nakata, who is having an unhappy spell at Marseille, said Wednesday he has decided not to join an Israeli club.
"I left Kashima Antlers to put myself in tougher situations and become a better player. Looking back at the start, I decided to put an end to talks on moving to Israel," Nakata said on his official Web site after returning from the Middle East nation.
"If I went to Israel, I might be satisfied with more playing time until the World Cup finals. But I don't know if I would remain motivated there after that," Nakata said.
Nakata did not mention the name of the Israeli club, but earlier reports linked him with top-division side Betar Jerusalem.
Nakata, who signed with Marseille from Kashima a year ago, had earlier suggested the possibility of his leaving the French first-division club to get more playing time before this year's World Cup finals in Germany.