ROQUE Santa Cruz has spoken of his joy at hitting the magical 20-goals mark during an impressive debut season for Blackburn Rovers.

Only a handful of foreign strikers have managed to achieve that feat during their first year in English football, but Santa Cruz, a bargain £3.8 million capture from Bayern Munich last summer, gained membership to an exclusive club when he scored in Saturday's thrilling 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Ewood Park.

It's a remarkable achievement for a player who arrived in the Premier League with question marks against his goalscoring record, following an injury-plagued spell at Bayern Munich.

And the 26-year-old, who is a leading contender in the race to be crowned Rovers' player of the year, believes he can get even better next term now that his fitness problems appear to be firmly behind him.

"I'm very happy with my performance this season," said the Paraguayan.

"To score 20 goals in my first season is a big thing for me because I know how hard it is to score goals here, so I'm very happy that I've been able to achieve it.

"I've always watched English football and I know it's hard to hit that mark.

"But I still came here wanting to get 20 goals and I'm pleased that I have done it."

Santa Cruz has barely looked back since scoring minutes into his Premier League debut at Middlesbrough on the opening day of the season, notching 20 goals in 40 appearances to become the club's top-scorer.

The former Bayern ace puts his success firmly down to his team-mates and family, who helped him to settle quickly in a new country.

"I think it's helped that my family is very happy here, and I've made some very good friends in the team, and around the club too," said Santa Cruz.

"It was also good that I scored in my first game, because that helped to get rid of the pressure of being new.

"As a striker you want to score goals as quickly as possible, so to get my first goal so soon gave me great confidence, and I've just managed to keep it going from there."

Santa Cruz has also flourished under the tutelage of manager Mark Hughes, himself a former striker.

"He's helped me because he knows the mentality of a striker," said Santa Cruz.

"Most of the time you just want to give your all for the team, and even when you are not scoring goals, he knows the job you are doing is still big for the team. And that gives you confidence because he knows exactly what you need to be doing as a striker."

During his eight years at Bayern, a succession of injury set-backs prevented Santa Cruz from fulfilling his true potential but, with those problems now seemingly behind him, he can look forward to the future with greater confidence.

He added: "In many ways I think I am a better player now (than when I first signed for Blackburn), but I think my form also has a lot to do with my fitness.

"When I first came here I didn't have the rhythm that I have now, and I'm feeling very confident in my body.

"So my fitness is much better, and I think next year I will feel even better because I have never had the kind of season I've had this year.

"I've also got the strength to become a better player, so I believe there's more to come."