Roque Santa Cruz has admitted a host of Premier League clubs were interested in securing his signature this summer.
Several clubs were keen to sign Paraguay striker
Roque Santa Cruz has admitted a host of Premier League clubs were interested in securing his signature before he eventually elected to sign for Blackburn.
And the Paraguay international revealed that it was the vision of Mark Hughes which persuaded him that his future lay at Ewood Park.
The £3.5million signing is already proving to be one of the best buys of the summer with three goals to his name from Rovers' opening five fixtures.
Santa Cruz joined Rovers from Bayern Munich after eight years with the Bundesliga outfit, where he became something of a cult hero.
He told The Independent: "I had four or five clubs who were interested in me. I talked to some people, managers, and Mark Hughes made the difference.
"He told me his ideas. It was a simple decision after that. He said I would get the opportunity to play. And to learn.
"He said this team is competitive, but that I will only help to make it more competitive. I had a good feeling. I feel fit and strong. I feel like I can do everything now."
Santa Cruz took just three minutes to open his account for the club, scoring in the 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough on the opening day of the season after coming off the bench.
Pressure
And the striker admits that early goal helped ease the pressure on his shoulders as he settles into his new life in the north west.
He added: "To score in my first game. With a few minutes is indescribable.
"The longer you take to get your first goal, the more the pressure. I skipped that pressure.
"I don't feel like I've only been here two or three weeks but ages. I feel comfortable, and that is also because of the spirit in the dressing room. They're nice guys."
