Ghana international defender Rashid Sumaila has revealed to GHANAsoccernet.com Accra Hearts of Oak came close to beating Asante Kotoko to his signature but he opted for a return to the Ghanaian champions.

Sundowns declared the 21-year-old Ghanaian central defenders was up for a season loan offer and Kotoko openly declared their intentions and eventually completed his signing last week.

But Sumaila, who was a member of Ghana’s 2014 World Cup squad has revealed to GHANAsoccernet.com Hearts officials secretly initiated talks with Sundowns but he opted to re-sign for Kotoko.

“Yes, they were talking to Sundowns to sign but Sundowns asked me and I said I wanted to come to Kotoko and they also Sundowns also said Kotoko were first to make the approach so they rejected Hearts,” he said.

The powerful defender returned to Kumasi during the weekend and underwent his first training session with the club on Tuesday.

“I have started training and I’m hoping everything goes well here,” he added.