Sidnei Tavares joined Blackburn Rovers in the summer. (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
Sidnei Tavares joined Blackburn Rovers in the summer. (Image: CameraSport - Lee Parker)
Sidnei Tavares is hoping his time at Leicester City will help him instantly adapt at Blackburn Rovers, with promotion to the Premier League his main goal.
The Portuguese midfielder started his first matches at Ewood Park this week after recovering from an ankle injury sustained in training. It gave supporters a first glimpse at their summer recruit from Portuguese side,
Moreirense.
Tavares spent his time in the youth ranks at Leicester City so England is not an unfamiliar place. He's well travelled since, having spent two stints in his native country either side of a spell with Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.
"When I was a kid, I thought I'd play for Leicester my whole life, but then got to a point where I felt like it was not the right place to be anymore," he said.
"I've been here, I've been there, moved around a bit, but it made me much more of a person, it made me learn more about life, especially going by myself, and not having my parents around, my family,.
"That then matures you a lot, seeing how real life is. That made it good for me to experience things by myself whilst I was there and get more life experience in that sense.
"With Blackburn, it felt like the right club. Speaking to the manager, I got a feel for what the club was like. Speaking to Rudy (Gestede) about the club's objectives, my goals, and I felt it was the right fit.
"They know what I want, I know what they want and it fits perfectly so I felt it was the right match. My main goal is to get the team back in the Premier League again, like I did with Leicester."
Whilst most foreign imports need time to adapt to a new culture, fresh surroundings and different demands, Tavares is confident he'll adapt straight away.
"It's a new place for me, I'm not really used to it, but I've been here before, obviously playing for Leicester, so I'm used to it," he said.
"The language is easy, I'm used to the culture and I'm getting on well. Ot's been quite easy for me to adapt.
"I think being tall, strong and good on the ball, good at defending, the Championship suits my playing style. I think it'll be quite easy to adap, I've been involved in English football for a long time really.
"I've done it before so I hope I can adapt straight away and I don't need any time. I feel comfortable here so I hope that's how it goes."
Tavares has been playing catch-up after a freak injury sustained in his first weeks at the club. After rolling his ankle in training, he was left surprised by the damage.
"It was something stupid, the grass was dry and my foot got stuck," he explained.
"I thought it would probably take a week, then I woke up the next day and my ankle was like a big balloon.
"I knew it wasn't good but it was a real surprise how long it was going to take. I went for a scan that day and then they called me and said I'd be out for four to six weeks.
"I was really surprised, I thought it'd be like a week. Then the next day I couldn't walk. It was a bit of a shock but, thankfully, it was only pre-season.
"I knew I'd be fit for the start of the season, so it wasn't too bad in perspective."