Heitinga admits the prospect of playing in the Champions League was one of the factors behind his decision to join Atletico.

The Holland international defender was officially presented as an Atletico player on Thursday, following in the footsteps of fellow new boys Gregory Coupet, Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Paulo Assuncao, who were also unveiled this week.

Those new arrivals will add strength in depth to an Atletico squad which finished fourth last season to earn the Rojiblancos' Champions League football for the first time in 11 years, albeit having to start at the qualifying stages.

And it is that chance of playing in Europe's premier club competition which has proven attractive to Heitinga, whose previous club Ajax were unable to secure a berth in the tournament.

"It was disappointing because Ajax will not play in the Champions League this year, whilst Atletico can and for this I hope that we will go as far as possible," he said.

"I have had the fortune to play in this competition and for me it is one of the best, and now I have the chance of playing in it with Atletico and I want to take advantage of this opportunity."

The 24-year-old also admitted he was keen to further his footballing education having spent 17 years at Ajax after coming up through the youth ranks.

"I wanted to take a step forward in my career and this is why I decided to come here. After all the years that I have played at Ajax, this is a new challenge for me," he added.

"I wanted to play a club where I feel good, which could help me develop and to win many trophies."