DEPARTING forward Josh King has revealed he quit Blackburn Rovers because he was frustrated with life at Ewood Park.

The Norwegian international snubbed a new deal at Rovers to join Premier League new boys Bournemouth and the 23-year-old said he didn’t feel like he was given a proper chance in East Lancashire.

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“I have been there two and a half years and I didn’t play as much as I like to play,” King said on joining Eddie Howe’s side.

“I have had a couple of injuries but even before the injuries I didn’t feel like I got my chance and I felt like I had to move forward and try something new.”

King has penned a deal until the summer of 2018 with the Cherries, having turned down a three-year contract offer from Rovers boss Gary Bowyer.

Rovers will be due compensation for the move as King is under 24 and negotiations between the clubs are now ongoing.

If a fee cannot be agreed then it will be decided by a tribunal.

King added that he had no intention of signing the deal on the table from Rovers.

“I’ve had my joy at Blackburn now and been there two-and-a-half years and didn’t want to sign a new contract,” said the Norwegian.

“This (Bournemouth) was the best place for me to come to progress my career and progress as a footballer.

“I didn’t rush my decision. I did know I didn’t really want to stay at Blackburn.”

And the former Manchester United man added that he hopes to compete for a central striking berth at his new club, having been used mainly on the wing during his stay at Ewood Park.

“My preferred position is up front, I have been used on the wing a lot by Blackburn but I do prefer to play up front,” said King.

He added: “The main reason I came here was because of the manager.

“I’ve seen what he’s done with the squad here. I’ve watched a couple of games during the season, and the football Bournemouth play suits me very well I think.

“He’s been honest, he told me you have to work for your place.

“He loves the style I play and he actually thinks I can fit in with the team that’s done brilliantly in the Championship and hopefully will do well in the Premier League as well.”

Bournemouth boss Howe added that he was now keen to see King consistently reach the heights of his hat-trick performance against Stoke City in the FA Cup now he has completed the switch.

Howe said: “I think we saw in flashes during his time at Blackburn what a good player he can be and the Stoke game was a real stand-out moment from his season.

“Whether it is as a central striker or a wide player, his versatility will be invaluable to us. I wouldn’t bracket him as a winger, I would bracket him as an attacking player. He can play the number-nine role and the wide role. To have players with the flexibility to play various roles will be important to us. We are going to need players with pace to cause teams problems in the Premier League.