Goodwillie delight at Rovers switch

04 August 2011 07:30

David Goodwillie is looking forward to playing a big part in an "exciting" period for Blackburn after sealing a move to the Barclays Premier League on Wednesday.

The Scottish game's current young player of the year has signed a four-year contract with Rovers, who are believed to have paid Dundee United an initial £2million to prise him from Tannadice. Blackburn said the club saw off "fierce competition" from rival bidders to land the 22-year-old striker, with Rangers having been keen to take him to Ibrox.

After weeks of uncertainty over where he would be playing, Goodwillie was relieved to sign and said: "I can settle down now and concentrate on my football."

He believes Blackburn, under the Indian owners Venky's who took control of the club last season, can have a strong campaign.

"I think this could be a really good season for Blackburn. The new owners are exciting and they want players and I'm looking forward to playing under them," continued Goodwillie.

Blackburn agreed a fee with United on Friday, and although Rangers made several efforts to strike a deal, they did not match their SPL rivals' demands.

Rangers are understood to believe their final offer was better than the bid from Blackburn and that United chairman Stephen Thompson did not want to do business with them. However, Thompson insisted the total package on offer from Rangers was not acceptable.

Goodwillie could make his debut in a friendly against Kilmarnock on Saturday, but it is the challenge of taking on the best defences in England which excites the Scotland international.

Goodwillie added on Rovers Player: "I think it's a massive stage to further my career and there's no better place to play than the Premiership.

"Growing up you want to play in the Premiership and I'm really grateful to have that opportunity. I think it's every young boy's dream to play in England at some point in their career. I feel ready, and it's up to the manager and we'll see what happens."

Source: PA