All White Ryan Nelsen says he didn't think twice when offered a new extended contract with English Premier League soccer side Blackburn Rovers.
Nelsen, who was courted by premiership rivals Portsmouth, has agreed to a deal that will keep him at the Lancashire club for another four years.
He said
he was delighted with the outcome, as it was Blackburn that gave him the opportunity to play in England's top league when manager Mark Hughes signed him early last year.
"I never once thought it was time for a change," the central defender told the Rovers' website.
"With the manager committing himself, and the new signings that have been coming and everything, it was all positive news coming from the club and as a player that is what you want to hear.
"So when I was offered the deal, I didn't even think twice about it."
Nelsen, 28, went to Blackburn on a free transfer from American Major League Soccer side DC United.
Since his move, he has established himself in the heart of the Rovers' defence, worn the captain's armband and helped the club qualify for this season's UEFA Cup.
"The environment here is fantastic," he said.
"I've seen my game improve over the 18 months and the others have realised it as well."
Nelsen said transferring to Portsmouth, whom Blackburn face tomorrow morning (NZ time) in their opening fixture of the new Premier League season, was "never an option".
He said he had been more concerned about his hamstring injury, which has kept him out of all of the Rovers' pre-season matches, including the 5-0 defeat of the All Whites last weekend.
Hughes was pleased at Nelsen's decision to agree to the new deal, describing him as a key element of the set-up at Ewood Park.
"Ryan is an important part of what we are trying to do here and that is why we wanted to tie him down for a longer period," he said.
The Times website reported that Nelsen's new deal was worth up to £30,000 ($88,000) a week.
- NZPA
