Jeremy Mathieu: 'I don't smoke much but I do it when I want'

Barcelona's newest signing Jeremy Mathieu has defended his smoking habits, saying: "I don't smoke much but I do it when I want."

Mathieu was asked about his habits during an interview for El Mundo Deportivo in which he defended the issue as a 'personal thing'.

"I'm not a smoker who smokes a pack every day. I haven't smoked for a fortnight right now," he said.

"What counts is what happens on the pitch. People will forget when they see me run."

The left-back cost Barcelona £15.8m from Valencia after being linked with several clubs across the world.