Ryan Nelsen has fulfilled his footballing dream after joining English premier league club Blackburn Rovers.
The All Whites skipper signed an 18-month contract with the Lancashire club yesterday after a two-week trial at Ewood Park last month.
The 27-year-old central defender, who also plays midfield, said playing in the English
premiership was a dream move. "I feel great, it's a fantastic club here. The first day I got here I was really impressed with the management, the players, the facilities - it was awesome."
Nelsen is the first New Zealander to sign for an English premier league club since fellow All Whites centre-back Danny Hay left Leeds in 2002.
Nelsen has spent the past four seasons playing in the US Major League competition with DC United and recently captained them to their fourth championship in nine seasons. He was also named in the league's X1 for the second consecutive year.
His contract with DC United expired on December 31 and he was snapped up by Blackburn on a free transfer.
"Everybody wants to play in the premiership and Blackburn have given me an opportunity and I thank them for that," Nelsen said. "You want to play at the highest level and this is it. Everything at Blackburn is top class."
Blackburn are struggling with just four wins from 22 matches and sit just outside the relegation zone.
Christchurch-born Nelsen made his debut for New Zealand in 2001 and last captained the side in the Oceania Nations Cup tournament in June where they missed the playoffs after losing to Vanuatu.
- NZPA
