West Ham defender Frederik Alves says David Moyes urged him to make a move to Sunderland.
Alves is on-loan with Sunderland for the season, with Hammers boss Moyes recommending his old club to the Dane.
He told Bold: "Moyes and I agreed that Sunderland was a better place for me. For every home game there are about 30,000 spectators and I am on a team that is not feeling pressure.
"We would like to be at the top of the league, and that would give me the opportunity for playing time and to get a positive start towards next season.
"The biggest reason is that I have to have some playing time and with the playing time the goal is that I have to have important experience and get to know English football.
"Over the last six months, I have often talked to Moyes about what I should put on my game, and he wants me to learn the art of defence.
"It's about being a defender who tackles everything, clears everything and gives his heart in all duels. You have to be a tough dog, you could say, to defend before anything else."
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