Former Switzerland captain Johann Vogel is determined to get his career back on track at Blackburn, where there are some familiar faces.The 31-year-old former PSV Eindhoven and Milan midfielder, who had been a free agent, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Ewood Park after impressing during a recent trial.
Vogel was released by Real Betis last December after a miserable few months and he is determined to make the most of his chance to play in the Premier League.
"I am very happy now. It has been a hard time - 10 months without playing. I am very happy with Blackburn and want to show the people how I can play," he said.
"It is one of the best leagues in Europe, with Italy and Spain, and I already have experiences of them. It was a little dream here in England and I hope I will enjoy it here all the time.
"This is the third week I have been training at Blackburn with the squad. Of course, I am not the perfect Johann Vogel at the moment but I am here working."
Vogel, who has 94 Switzerland caps but is currently out of the international picture, joins compatriots Bruno Berner and Stephane Henchoz at Rovers. Dutch defender Andre Ooijer is also a former team-mate from PSV.
Vogel added: "They told me everything about the club and facilitated my integration. I also played with Andre Ooijer for six years at PSV and that made it easier for me.
"I am not a player who will run all around the pitch, I am for the balance of the team.
"I can play with left foot, right foot. I don't score many goals but maybe I can help my team-mates score."
Vogel insists he is focusing fully on Rovers and has no ambitions to force his way back into the Switzerland squad for Euro 2008, despite his country co-hosting the event.
Vogel captained the Swiss at the 2006 World Cup but was then dropped by coach Kobi Kuhn the following year amid stories of factions disrupting harmony in the camp.
"Absolutely not," Vogel said when asked about Euro 2008. "That question is not part of my dream.
"My dream is now to concentrate my efforts to do my best in the future for Blackburn. I don't think about this."
Vogel will not feature as Rovers tackle Wigan at Ewood Park on Saturday looking to keep themselves in the hunt for an Intertoto Cup place.
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