LA Dodgers’ new $700m man Shohei Ohtani pulls on his new blue uniform for the first time after signing historic deal… as he talks up World Series prospects and insists: ‘We all want to win – and I think this team has that’

Shohei Ohtani is officially a Los Angeles Dodger, having donned his new uniform for the first time since signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the team.

Ohtani's LA move from the Angels to the Dodgers stunned the baseball world this week, and the Japanese two-time star has now been presented to the media for the first time.

After donning Dodger Blue for the first time, Ohtani shared his reasons for choosing them from a long list of suitors, detailing that their desire to win was a big contributing factor.

“I think the most important thing is that we all have to be on the same page, we all want to win,” Ohtani said. “And I think this team has that.”

Earlier this week, it was announced that Ohtani will defer $680 million of his $700 million contract and won't collect the bulk of his money until 10 years from now.

Ohtani poses for photos after donning his No. 17 uniform at a packed press conference

The Dodgers welcomed Ohtani to the team with a stage setup at Dodger Stadium in LA

“I was aware of the deferral structure and usually when there's a big contract in the MLB I hear about them being involved,” Ohtani said. “I looked into it and made some calculations.”

“If I can defer as much money as possible to help the Dodgers sign better players and build a better team, then I've made that choice,” Ohtani added.

At the press conference, Ohtani confirmed that he had undergone a second procedure on his elbow, but emphasized that it was “different” from the first Tommy John surgery he underwent.

“I saw the doctor first and we had to go through a lot of steps to decide which surgery I would have,” Ohtani said. 'We didn't know it at the time of the announcement. That's why I didn't announce it.'

Ohtani said he made a decision to join the Dodgers on Friday evening, less than 24 hours before posting his decision on Instagram.

Ohtani spoke through his friend and interpreter during his first press conference as a Dodger

Ohtani wore a blue tie in his new team's colors after transferring from the rival Angels

The media lined up to catch a glimpse of Ohtani at his first press conference

“There's no one reason,” Ohtani said of why he chose the Dodgers. 'At the end of the negotiation process I spoke to a number of teams. It was a really difficult decision for me. I had to choose one team and the Dodgers were my choice.”

Ohtani declined several times during the press conference to talk about the other teams interested in signing him. It was reported that his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, was also heavily involved in the efforts to retain Ohtani.

The Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants were among the other teams believed to have made a substantial pitch to Ohtani.

Ohtani cited wanting to have the best chance to win championships as a major reason why he became a Dodger.

Dodgers owner Mark Walter helps Ohtani put on his blue uniform for the first time

The two-way superstar shakes hands with Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations

“I saw that my contact has been around for 10 years and I'm not sure how long I can play the game,” Ohtani said. “So I prioritized winning and that's one of the reasons I chose this team.

“Obviously I want to win championships and when people look back on the championships I won, I want people to remember that I was a big part of those championship-winning teams.”

Ohtani said it's a “sadness” to leave the Angels for the crosstown rival Dodgers, but the 29-year-old is up for the challenge.

“Continuing with the Dodgers, I feel pretty much the same as I did six years ago,” Ohtani said, compared to when he first played in the MLB. “I like challenges and I'm going to take on a lot of new challenges as a Dodger and I'm ready for them.”