Joe Bryan admits the lure of Premier League football was the main reason behind his decision to join Fulham on deadline day.

The former Bristol City full-back joined the Cottagers earlier this month for a reported £6million and has started all three matches for Slavisa Jokanovic’s side so far this term.

However, Bryan had been on course to sign for Championship club Aston Villa before Fulham hijacked the deal, but the 24-year-old insists there was nothing untoward behind his decision, but the lure of top-flight football was too much to turn down.

“I went to Aston Villa, I did the medical, I’d signed nothing. I hadn’t had any photos.

I hadn’t had a steak dinner with Steve Bruce and he didn’t chase me down the motorway,” Bryan said regarding recent media reports.

“I got a call that Fulham had an offer accepted while I was at Villa and I said ‘I want to play in the Premier League, I can’t turn down this opportunity.'”

Bryan could be rested when Fulham play host to League Two Exeter in the Carabao Cup second round on Tuesday, with Jokanovic expected to rotate his squad.

The Cottagers are priced at 1.25 to win the contest inside 90 minutes, while Exeter are available at 10.00 and the draw is on offer at 6.00.

Fulham were knocked out of the Carabao Cup at the second round stage last season when they were beaten 1-0 on home soil by third-tier outfit Bristol Rovers.