STEPHEN Warnock has revealed Craig Bellamy convinced him to join Blackburn Rovers.

The 25-year-old signed a three-and-a-half year deal at Ewood earlier this week and said it was a glowing recommendation from Bellamy, who became a fans' favourite during his season-long stay at the club, that helped to seal the deal.

"I spoke to Craig Bellamy and he just told me it was a fantastic club and he really enjoyed his time here and the only reason he left, like everyone knows, was because Liverpool came in for him, and he couldn't turn that down," said Warnock.

"Once I spoke to him, that really made my mind up even before I spoke to the manager."

Warnock, who enjoyed loan spells at Bradford and Coventry, had been at Anfield since he was 11 years old, and admitted it had been a wrench to leave his boyhood heroes.

But after missing out on a summer move to Blackburn and finding himself further down Rafa Benitez's pecking order, he said he was determined to move elsewhere.

And he had his heart set on Rovers.

He said: "On the last day of the transfer window at about 7pm I got a phone call saying get yourself to Blackburn. When that didn't happen I was a bit gutted, but I was still at Liverpool so it wasn't the end of the world.

"Then when I got back I wasn't in the team as much and I was really gutted I didn't sign.

"I'm absolutely made up now. It's been a bit long winded because obviously Lucas Neill changed his mind at the last minute about joining Liverpool and I think my deal was meant to be in with him.

"Once you fall out of favour and you're not in and around the squad as much it's difficult. And then when someone comes along and says that they want to buy you and they want you to play for them then it's a good feeling, and that's what I felt from Blackburn."

Warnock scored his only goal for Liverpool in front of the Kop with his right foot in a 5-1 demolition of Fulham last March.

And the left back has fond memories of playing against Blackburn, having beaten Rovers twice at Ewood Park and twice at Anfield, although he confessed they were all tough matches and he was glad to be finally playing with them instead of against them.

He said: "Every time we played Blackburn we knew we would be in for a tough game, they're one of the teams everyone hates playing against.

"Mark Hughes is getting a really good reputation as a manager, which he duly deserves because of the way the team has shot up in the last two years.

"When you play them you're playing against a good team and a really strong side.

"And because Liverpool fans brought a lot of supporters (to Ewood Park) as it was so close, it was always a fantastic atmosphere."

Warnock has been tipped by Mark Hughes to become one of the best defenders in the Premiership.

And after missing Blackburn's disappointing defeat at the hands of Watford on Tuesday night, he said he couldn't wait to repay the faith shown in him and help his new side climb up the league as well as fighting for the UEFA Cup and FA Cup.

He said: "I thought I was cup-tied (for the UEFA Cup) because I'd played in the Champions League, but apparently that doesn't count so that's an even bigger bonus. Just the fact that I'll be playing first team football as well as working with the manager are big enough reasons for me to join.

"Looking at the table and the remaining games and speaking to the manager, he sees the team as a top six team, which a lot of people do. I think we can definitely push on and get into Europe and hopefully it would be great to have a good run in the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup.

"It would be great to go to the first ever cup final at the new Wembley and it'd be great to go there with Blackburn."