New Blackburn Rovers signing Sidnei Tavares has set his sights on a return to the Premier League with his new club after penning a three-year deal earlier this week.
The 23-year-old arrived at Ewood Park in a reported £2 million deal on Friday from Portuguese outfit Moreirense. It marks a return to England after four years, when he departed boyhood club Leicester City to join Porto. However, his move to the two-time European champions didn’t work out, with him spending the majority of his time in their ‘B’ side before a loan to the MLS in 2023.
He joins a club still licking their wounds from last season. Under the stewardship of John Eustace, Rovers looked destined for a top six finish but faced upheaval when he departed for Derby County in February.
In came Valerien Ismael, who failed to win any of his opening seven games. An upturn in results towards the end of the campaign saw them move back into play-off contention, but a final day draw with Sheffield United saw them finish seventh. A win would have seen them replace Bristol City in sixth on goal difference.
Tavares Eager For Premier League Return
Tavares made two Premier League appearances for Leicester before his return to Portugal. He is determined to add to those outings and has set his sights on doing so with Blackburn. Speaking to official club media, the midfielder said:
“Rovers is a great club that’s full of great players.
“When I spoke to the people here, the objective is to get back to the Premier League and they want me to help.
“That’s my main goal. I want to get Rovers back to the Premier League and to stay there as well.
“I’m very excited now to get on the pitch. I want to impress the fans, be by their side, I want them by my side and I hope we can get many wins together.
“I have many goals, I always do, and the main one is to get Rovers back to the Premier League, that’s my main focus.”
Writer’s View
Tavares is an excellent signing for Blackburn but you have to feel they need more of a similar ilk to match his ambitions. They arguably overachieved last season, much of that down to John Eustace, and they won’t be considered one of the favourites to finish in the play-off places next May. Still, there is plenty of the transfer window remaining and it will be interesting if they can match this business in other areas of the pitch.
