CRAIG Bellamy today insisted it was a tough decision to leave Blackburn but the chance to join Liverpool was simply too good to turn down'.

The Welsh international striker finally completed his £6.5 million move to the Reds last night, less than a year after he arrived at Rovers in a similar blaze of publicity.

His decision to quit has come as a major blow to Rovers manager Mark Hughes, who was effectively responsible for resurrecting Bellamy's career last season following a turbulent spell at Newcastle.

But while the 26-year-old says he will always be grateful for the role Hughes and Rovers played in his rehabilitation, the fiery Welshman had his heart set on a move to Anfield from the moment he knew his boyhood heroes were interested in signing him.

"The fact that it was Liverpool made it impossible for me to turn down the move," said Bellamy, who has signed a four-year contract with the Reds.

"As I'm a fan, it doesn't matter what club I was at - I could never turn Liverpool down.

"You get the chance to play for Liverpool and it's a lifelong dream come true.

"I had a lot of friends at Blackburn - the players, the coaching staff, the chairman are all great people - and I owe them a lot - a hell of a lot, to be honest.

"They helped me improve and they were there at an awkward time for me, but I've spoken to a lot of the players and they know the situation.

"I've had no problem from any player at Blackburn and I'm sure if any of them got the chance to join the team they love with all their heart, they'd do exactly the same thing.

"It's sad in a way to leave Blackburn, but this is too good a chance to turn down."

Bellamy's departure has thrown Hughes' plans into turmoil as the Rovers boss must now look to recruit at least two top strikers in preparation for an assault on Europe next season.

The club have already got one offer in for a mystery target and unconfirmed reports this morning suggested a Rovers delegation had flown to Italy to open signing talks with Mido, the Egyptian international who made a big impression during a loan spell with Spurs last season.

In the meantime, Bellamy is convinced he can be a major hit for Liverpool next season, providing the cutting edge that was so evidently missing from the Reds' game last season.

He added: "Obviously, I hope to score plenty of goals, I hope to make a lot of goals for my team-mates, and just to be another attacking option and a threat.

"I think I suit the way the team plays and the way the team plays is perfect for me.

"I just feel I can really excel at this club and hopefully that will be the case.

"Being a Liverpool supporter myself, at the start of every season it's the league title that you're looking to win.

"Being top of this league is something that Liverpool grew used to in the 70s and 80s, but it hasn't happened for a while, and that has to change.

"Even from the outside looking in, you could tell that things were heading in the right direction under Mr Benitez, and if we can improve on what we did last year and move two steps on, hopefully we can win the title."