CHRIS Taylor was so intent on staying at Blackburn Rovers that he turned down longer-term contract offers from other clubs.

The popular midfielder committed his future to Rovers on Thursday when he signed a new one-year deal.

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But the former Oldham Athletic and Millwall man admits he could have received greater security elsewhere.

Taylor said: “There’s no point hiding it, I did have (longer contract offers).

“But I’ve worked hard to get to a club like Blackburn Rovers and I didn’t want to give that up.

“It’s a massive club and I love working here.

“I think I’ve got more to learn, I can improve, and I think, with the staff that we have here, I am at the right club to do that.”

Championship rivals Rotherham United were one of the clubs tracking Taylor.

The 28-year-old said: “There were talks with others and if Blackburn had turned around and said they didn’t want me here, I’d have gone and pursued other avenues.

“But as long as Blackburn wanted me, and I always got told that they did, I wanted to be here and I wanted to do well for Blackburn.

“They were my number one choice as it’s a massive club.

“Anyone who is a footballer would want to be at a club like Blackburn.”

Thirty of the 58 appearances Taylor has made for Rovers since his free transfer switch from Millwall two summers ago have come from the bench.

But he made 10 starts in the second half of last season, scoring four goals, including three in the run to the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Taylor said: “I didn’t play much in the first half of the season, so there isn’t much you can do, but when you do get a chance, second half of the season I think I showed I can chip in with goals and create goals.

“I’ve got to do that from the start now and not hang around for a few months and let others get in front.

“I’ve got to get in front and do it from the start.”

Taylor missed the final eight matches of the campaign, including the FA Cup quarter-final replay with Liverpool at Ewood Park, with a groin injury.

But, having made visits back to Brockhall over the summer, he is now fully fit and focusing on Rovers’ pre-season opener at Accrington Stanley on Sunday.

Taylor said: “I’ve had to come in and do some groin strength work but I feel good.

“I’ve had a good couple of holidays and now I’m looking forward to getting back in the swing of things.”