ENGLAND captain David Platt arrived in Hong Kong with his Sampdoria teammates yesterday still on a high after what he described as the most enjoyable season of his career.
The 27-year-old midfielder, who will be in action against Hong Kong champions Eastern in the Satchi Italy Cup at the Hong Kong Stadium tomorrow evening, helped Sampdoria finish third in Serie A and win the Italian Cup.
Alongside Roberto Mancini, Attilio Lombardo and Dutch superstar Ruud Gullit, Platt and company scored a total of 64 goals in 34 league games - the highest in the top flight and equalling a club record - with a fast and flowing brand of football.
The success was particularly sweet for Platt, who, at this time last year, was even considering returning to play in England after a disappointing season with Juventus.
Looking back on the '93-94 campaign, Platt said: ''I would say that last year I played consistently the best football of my career and that it was certainly the most enjoyable.
''This year has been very, very special to me, especially after last year when I was involved in a team (Juventus) that did not play me all the time and when they did they played me out of position.
''In a way it was a blessing in disguise when Sampdoria came in to buy me. I can categorically state that I would not have joined any other club in Italy; in fact I would have returned to England.'' Platt is halfway through a two-year contract with Sampdoria and believes his time overseas - he had a season with Bari before Juventus - was a significant factor in being chosen as England captain by the new coach, Terry Venables, in March.