Santa Cruz: Hughes convinced me about joining Blackburn

The Paraguay striker told the Daily Mail: “I spoke with the manager and that made up my mind. I had a ticket to go to another club but I quickly decided to come to Blackburn.

“I didn’t know much about the team. I knew about Mark Hughes the player, though. He was a great player, a striker and it makes a difference to me that he can understand and help me to improve my game.

“I needed to feel wanted after what had happened in Munich. I didn’t want to be a first choice for the bench.

“Yes, I was hindered by a lot of injuries. Three knee injuries, both knees. It’s hard, even now, to describe how it made me feel.

“But coming here isn’t a step backwards. Bayern is a top club in Europe, but Blackburn are well managed and ambitious. I liked what the manager told me, for me this is the right place.”

He added: “It’s true, when people in Paraguay heard about me signing for Blackburn, they searched for information about the club. They wanted to try to understand why I was coming, but they found out about the players, like Benni McCarthy and David Bentley, and the manager, and they understand most that I need football, I need to be part of a team.

“I won four Bundesliga titles and a Champions League medal in Germany, but I sent my medals back to my mum. I didn’t want to win medals from the bench. I am hungry for success and also I want to be picked and I want to score goals.”