HENNING Berg says he is leaving the club in safe hands when he retires from the Premiership at the end of the season.

The central defender is going back to his native Norway once his contract runs out in the summer after 12 seasons in England.

But while his experience at the heart of defence will be missed, he believes the future is bright for Rovers.

"They have some very good players, young ones as well who have come through the Academy so things are looking really promising," he said.

"We've just got to make sure we stay in the Premier League every year then you have a chance to build on what you've done.

"Hopefully we can qualify for a European place this season, but the priority is to be comfortable in the Premier League."

The 33-year-old, who signed for Rovers from Lillestrom in January 1992 before returning to Ewood Park in 2001 after almost four season with Manchester United, says he will miss Blackburn. But his decision to quit the Premiership was taken some time ago for family reasons.

"I've been saying for the last two or three years that this was going to be my last season. But it's not a football reason. My kids are in Norway and at the moment I only get to see them once a month," said the Norway captain, who added he may not retire from the game altogether just yet.

"I don't know what I will do after being in football for so long and being successful. My interest has always been in football and I will miss the pressure and enjoyment of playing football at this level.

"I had an offer earlier this year to go to manage a club in Norway, but it was too far away from Oslo, which is where I want to be and would defeat the object of me going back there. I might as well have stayed in England for another year than take that job.

"If Norway get into the European Championships then I might play another year with a club over there but, if not, I'm not sure what will happen. But I'm not going to make any decisions yet."

After battling back from an Achilles injury, which kept him sidelined for three months and threatened to rule him out for the rest of the season, Berg just wants to concentrate on the remaining games and help Rovers make that final push for a UEFA Cup spot.

He also paid tribute to the club and staff.

He added: "I will miss Blackburn. Both spells at the club have been great."