Jack Byrne has no doubts that he made the right decision in joining Blackburn Rovers.
The talented midfielder linked up with the Championship side earlier this week on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
Byrne spent last season with SC Cambuur in the Netherlands, and impressed in a series of performances, despite the side getting relegated from the Eredivisie.
Blackburn manager Owen Coyle is excited about the prospect of working with Byrne, claiming that the 20-year-old could be the difference for the promotion chasing side in the final third.
That's one huge fan of the Ireland U21 international https://t.co/74NhYAZypt
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 1, 2016
Byrne is a regular with the Republic of Ireland’s U21 side, and was called up to train with the senior team back in March. The Dubliner told BBC Lancashire that his move to Blackburn was partly influenced by his international ambitions, and he turned down offers to remain on the continent.
“That’s part of the reason why I came here (to catch Martin O’Neill’s eye) and didn’t go back to Holland,” the midfielder said.
“I’d options in France, I’d options in Israel, I’d options everywhere. Maybe people don’t know me that well in England, but because I played in Europe a lot of people know me around Europe. (But) I knew after a five minute phone call with Owen Coyle this was the right choice.”
Byrne also offered some insight into his time in Holland.
“I was over there purely for football,” the Dubliner said.
“It was a bit lonely at times, but you have to keep going. For me at the time, it was the best thing for me to do. All I concentrated on was football, football, football. I went in in the morning and trained, went home slept, woke up slept. That was my routine over there week after week.
“It was a great experience, and one I’m very grateful for.”
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