Australian midfielder Brett Emerton said Tuesday he was certain he made the right decision to leave Blackburn Rovers at the peak of his game to play for Sydney FC.
The 32-year-old is the first player to exchange the Premier League for the A-League as he returns to his home town after a 11-year career in Europe, where he played 338 times for Feyenoord and Blackburn.
"I'm really excited about it and I feel really comfortable with my decision," Emerton told reporters as he was officially unveiled by his new club after signing a three-year deal last week.
"I've enjoyed every minute of my time in England but I'm really looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead."
With 87 international appearances, Emerton remains a first-choice national team member and has every intention of playing on until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
He admitted there was pressure to perform at Sydney.
"Expectations will be high, there's no doubt about that," he said.
"But I'm prepared to carry those expectations."
Emerton is expected to play his first match for Sydney in a friendly against Perth Glory next month ahead of their 2011/12 A-League opener against Harry Kewell's Melbourne Victory on October 8.
Source: AFP
