Moussa Baradji expressed his delight after finally securing a move to Blackburn Rovers.
The midfielder finally completed his long-awaited Ewood Park switch on Friday, signing on loan with a view to making the move permanent.
It has been a long time in the pipeline, with discussions about a move ongoing throughout the summer. Baradji then flew to Lancashire in July but problems with his medical caused a further delay.
The 24-year-old has now put pen to paper on a loan deal with the option to buy. If the deal is a success, there's every expectation he will become a permanent Rovers player next summer.
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“We have had very good discussions with the head coach, the club and Rudy (Gestede) for a very long time now," Baradji told RoversTV.
"Now, I’m finally able to join the club. I think this relationship will be very successful on the pitch.
“Since I was a kid, I’ve always dreamed of joining a team in England. I knew of the club when I was in France and when I had discussions about the project and learned of the environment, I wanted to join a club that has a family environment for me.
“I have that here at Rovers and that made it an easy decision to join the club."
It has been a difficult situation for the French midfielder, who did return to Swiss Yverdon Sport when the deal was delayed. In that time, he received Instagram messages from Rovers fans asking him to sign.
"It has been a rollercoaster for months," he added.
"We have been discussing the move for a long time. When he was getting messages from Blackburn fans, it gave him the willingness to come even more.
"It was special as it was the first time I'd had that. It gave me positive energy. I look forward to trying to score goals and celebrating with the fans, sharing their passion.
"I'm a box-to-box midfielder with technical and physical abilities. I'm able to play up and down the pitch to try and provide assists and score goals.
"I haven't watched lots of the Championship and I'll need time to adapt but I will put a lot of effort in to ensure I'm successful on the pitch."
As usual, the Premier League is a huge allure for players who join from overseas. The number one target is always a return to the big time for Rovers, though that will take time and patience.
“I watch the Premier League a lot and I have a relationship with English football since I was a kid. I like the passion of the fans, the environment, the football in England," Baradji explained.
“Now, to know if I will be successful with my qualities, only the pitch will talk. The jump from Switzerland to England is a big step, but I believe that I have what’s needed to respond to it.
"I believe and hope that the journey with Rovers for myself and the club will be a successful one. My dream is to be a Premier League player and if I can do this with Rovers then that would be great."
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