Eric Abidal has confirmed he snubbed interest from Milan to join his ‘dream’ club Barcelona.

The Lyon full-back will be unveiled as the Catalan outfit’s latest signing on Friday afternoon.

“Milan interest? It is true,” Abidal told L’Equipe. “AC Milan is a very great club, but today Italy is not my aim. Maybe when I am older I will change my mind.

“Barcelona is just the club where I have always dreamed of playing when I was a kid. It is a very great club.

“The day I signed for Lyon, I could not believe it, so on Friday if, as expected, I will sign there, I will be in the same state of mind.

“It really is a dream that comes true.

“I had phone calls with Thierry Henry. He called me during the holidays to tell me he will sign there, so I did the same when I knew I will sign.”

Abidal joined Lyon from Lille in 2004 but the defender has always yearened to plaay in Spain.

He added: “It is always difficult to leave l’OL because the chairman is a businessman and does everything in the club’s interests.

“It is true I had several contacts. Personally, I have always had a preference for the Spanish league. It has always been my priority.

“La Liga is exciting and often very close. At Lyon, when you are already champions three months before the end…”