Oscar did not find it difficult to turn his back on Premier League leaders Chelsea in favour of a lucrative move to Shanghai SIPG and a spell in the Chinese Super League that has led many to question the direction of his career.
The Brazil international's record-breaking €60million switch drew both intrigue and ire from across the game.
After four-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge he has been accused of abandoning a major European league during his prime years, as opposed to seeking one last substantial payday.
"I think it wasn't difficult because the project they [SIPG] showed me was really cool," he told Omnisport.
"They are wanting to bring new players. And I was the youngest.
"Although I was only 25 years old, I had been at Chelsea for five years. So, I was there long enough.
"And the China project, their league is really cool and I was very happy."
"No, it was good for me, it was good for Chelsea," he said of his transfer. "And all the parties were happy.
"Shanghai was happy too. The club was very happy with my arrival here. Everyone was very happy, I left Chelsea with the doors open."
Oscar's goodwill extends to Antonio Conte, the Chelsea head coach whose inspired switch to a 3-4-3 formation prompted their rapid upturn in fortunes and in turn heralded the end of the player's time in west London.
"Conte is a nice guy who won over the group," he said, acknowledging some of the early teething problems experienced by the ex-Juventus and Italy boss.
"At the beginning [it] was not easy because his philosophy is a bit different, but everyone has adapted and now the result are showing it."
Oscar was not named in Tite's Brazil squad for last November's World Cup qualification victories over Argentina and Peru having been an unused substitute during the wins against Bolivia and Venezuela the previous month.
"I think my main focus is here," he added. "And after I start the championship and I start to return to play my best football, I can think of going back to the Selecao.
"But the first thought now is to return to playing my best football and helping the team here."
