Adam Maher revealed he did ‘go after the money’ having followed boss John van den Brom to FC Utrecht.

Rovers boss Tony Mowbray had watched AZ Alkmaar during his trips to Holland in April, and was impressed with 25-year-old Maher.

Maher, capped five times by Holland, was a free agent having signed a year-long deal with his boyhood club after returning following a spell with FC Twente. But Utrecht won the race for his signature having qualified for next season’s Europa League having finished sixth in the Eredivisie.

Maher follows AZ manager John van den Brom in moving to Utrecht where he has signed a three-year deal.

Rovers were one of several clubs keen on Maher, who also had interest from Italy, Turkey, and Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.

And the player revealed he turned down offers of up to six times more money to sign for Utrecht.

He told De Telegraaf: “I could earn at least five or six times more abroad, but at the moment I don't see myself going after the money.

“But in the end the fun in football and the good feeling that you have at a club are more important to me.

“You can still earn so much, but if you are not happy and you are not happy at a club then that is anyway worth nothing."

Maher made a big money switch from boyhood club AZ to PSV in 2013 but failed to find his form in Eindhoven. He joined FC Twente in 2017 before one season back with AZ.

“The switch from AZ to PSV is a choice that I would make again if the situation were to repeat itself,” Maher added.

“But eventually things will come your way that you cannot control.

“If you no longer have time to play, it will be at a cost of your pleasure. And that is for me the most important thing in football. Based on the experiences from the past, you now look at the complete picture.”

van den Brom will take over at Utrecht this summer, with director of football Jordy Zuidam believing the addition of Maher to be a key one for his side.

He told his club’s website: “Adam is a great player, with a lot of playing ability.

“He already has a lot of experience, even though he is only 25 years old. Moreover, he is in a strong phase of his career.

“Adam is strong in reading the game and anticipates well, so he intercepts many balls.

“On the ball, he can make a difference with his qualities.

“We are proud that a player of his calibre chooses us and are convinced that he will add some extras to the selection.

“He believes in the sporting plan and ambitions of FC Utrecht.”