TURNING your back on the biggest football club on the planet hardly sounds like the best career move in the world -- but that's exactly how new Rovers signing John Curtis sees his move to Ewood Park.

The 21-year-old defender has hailed his £1.5m switch from Manchester United to Blackburn Rovers as a major step up in his embryonic career.

Polite and full of chat at yesterday's official unveiling, the England Under 21 international was genuinely thrilled at the prospect of swapping Old Trafford for Ewood.

But, had he suffered from any last minute second thoughts, then new mentor Graeme Souness was close at hand to quickly dispel them.

Curtis's new boss Souness made a similar decision at the start of his career nearly 30 years ago when he swapped the bright lights of Tottenham for the choppy waters of Middlesbrough.

But the fiery Scot never looked back and his 'gamble' turned out to be the platform which launched a glittering career.

Souness is hoping the same happens to his first Rovers signing.

"I would liken John's move to my own situation when I first started out," said Souness.

"I started life at Tottenham, who were a very big club all those years ago, but I found it hard to break into the first team and I had to move on.

"It didn't do me any harm, though.

"And I don't think any criticism should be laid at John's door because he couldn't get into the Manchester United team.

"He has had a taste of it but Fergie feels he has got slightly better and more experienced players in that position and that is why he was prepared to let him go. "But we hope to develop John and maybe one day make him into an international full-back.

"As a young lad he was one of the most sought after school kids in England and being at Manchester United will only have helped him for what's ahead of him here at Blackburn.

"He is going to be playing under pressure with the spotlight on him and big things will be expected of him.

"But I am sure he has the temperament to cope."

Curtis, who has put pen to paper on a four year deal with Rovers, put it even more succinctly.

"It's okay being at the biggest football club in the world provided you are playing for them.

"But I wasn't playing for them so this is definitely a step-up for me, as I see it, from Manchester United Reserves to Blackburn.

"Of course it was sad to leave United after making so many friends there.

"But that was the only downer.

"I think I would have been more disappointed if I had been playing in the first team week in, week out but I was never in that position."

Curtis seemed destined to follow in the footsteps of previous United whizz kids like the Neville brothers, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt after breaking into the first team in 1997.

But the fierce competition for places at Old Trafford severely restricted his chances and, though he established himself at both Youth and Under 21 international level, he was farmed out to Barnsley last season on an extended loan. That, however, proved to be his making, and after leading the Tykes to the First Division play-off final, he now wants to help Rovers get back in the Premiership.

"That stint at Barnsley was my first real long spell of first team games," said Curtis.

"I really enjoyed that and had an excellent time there but now I just want to do my best for Blackburn.

"If you are going to move then it's important you join a club which is progressive.

"And I believe Blackburn are most definitely that.

"The last couple of years have been hard for Rovers -- they don't seem to have had a manager that has been here for longer than six months.

"That unsettles the players and everyone else connected with the club. But, on paper, I believe Blackburn are by far the strongest team in the First Division.

"And I think we must start the season as favourites to go up." Calm and assured in possession, Curtis is equally at home as a full-back or a wing-back.

But he is ready to play any role Souness asks of him and he believes his United experience can only stand him in good stead for the challenges ahead. "I don't think I could have gone to any other club in the world and got the same experience as I had at United.

"But it is time to move on," said Curtis.

"The manager has brought me in to do a similar job to the one I did at Barnsley so hopefully things can progress from there."

Souness clearly believes the player has a big future, too. "He is at that age where we feel he can only get better," said Souness.

"It's a lot of money to spend on a young player. But if he develops into the player we believe he is that will look like cheap money."