SERGIO Peter has revealed why Blackburn was the perfect destination for him to start his football career.

The German winger was courted by a host of clubs in his homeland before moving to Rovers four years ago after being blown away by their impressive Academy set-up.

And the man of the match display in his first game at senior level against QPR in the FA Cup last week seems to have justified that decison.

"I was in touch with Stuttgart, Schalke, Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund. I looked at their acadmies, but they weren't very great," said Peter.

"Then a few weeks later I played with the national team in an under-16 game against Switzerland and there were some scouts there.

"They asked me whether I wanted to come and have a look, so I did and I was shown a great academy. I decided to take a chance.

"I had not seen an academy like that before.

"It's very hard to leave your family at 15 because you need your family, but my heroes are Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo, and they went away at a young age too.

"I've been here for four years now and I'm happy to be with the first team.

"I signed a new contract in September, so it shows the gaffer I am going to be here a few years and that I will be knocking on his door.

"I signed because I have faith in this club, just as much as they have in me."

It's an indication of how much progress he has made that he was disappointed to be left out of the side when Rovers faced Manchester United in Wednesday's Calring Cup semi-final second leg.

But it hasn't dented his confidence as he aims to establish himself in the team and then push for international honours.

"It was a great opportunity for me to get my first chance, and I took it," said Peter.

"I didn't do too bad. The gaffer was happy with me, and I was happy with myself. But it wasn't the World Cup final.

"If you have played well on Saturday and you are man of the match, and then there is a game against one of the biggest clubs in the world, you hope you are involved or on the bench.

"But it's the gaffer's decision, and he is doing very well right now. He picked the right team. He is a good coach, and he knows what to do, and what to do with me.

"I was a little bit disappointed, but I'm happy because we didn't lose and I am a team player."

"With Germany, I will be playing with the under-20s soon, and I will try to be the best player there.

"They know of my progress over here so if the national team then comes along then I will be very happy."