BRETT Emerton revealed he chose Blackburn ahead of a clutch of other Premiership rivals because he believes Rovers are a club 'on the up'.

The Aussie international had his pick from a host of England's top sides after signalling his intention to leave Feyenoord this summer.

But Graeme Souness's new £2.2 million signing ultimately plumped for Rovers because he was impressed by the manager's ambitious plans for the future.

"This is a club with great ambition," said Emerton. "They finished in the top six last season and I think this is a club on the move.

"That's what I want to be part of and perhaps I can come here and strengthen the side a little bit and we can maybe do even better than we did last season.

"I've always made it known that I wanted to play in England. Feyenoord, I think, was a stepping stone for me. I went there and had three good years but now it's time for a new challenge and here I am."

Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle and Leeds had all been linked with moves for Emerton over the last 18 months.

And I can reveal that Newcastle boss Bobby Robson even tried to hijack the Aussie's move to Ewood last week, once negotiations had started with Rovers by offering him more money to join the Magpies.

But the 24-year-old had already set his heart on a move to Blackburn and he can't wait to prove himself in the Premiership.

"It's a new challenge for me and it's going to be that little bit more difficult.

"But I believe in my own ability and I believe that I can do a job," said Emerton.

"Lucas Neill didn't really play too much of a part in getting me here. Obviously, it's good to have another Australian here, but my decision was made pretty much before I came here and, when I came for talks last Monday, the club impressed me even more.

"The facilities, the manager and the people around the club all impressed me and I'm delighted to be here."

Souness is also thrilled to have Emerton on board after first identifying him as a transfer target two years ago.

"It's a long time since I can remember so many clubs chasing one player and I'm absolutely thrilled and delighted that we managed to come to a deal with Feyenoord," said the Rovers boss.

"Last season we played a lot of our games with two out-and-out wingers in Keith Gillespie and Damien Duff and I just felt we weren't as strong as we should have been when we didn't have the ball.

"So it was always my intention to strengthen the right hand side with a working player who also has flair - and I think Brett is as good as anyone around at doing that."