Johann Vogel has revealed it was Mark Hughes' influence that convinced him to seek a contract at Blackburn Rovers.

He told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "I played against him for Switzerland.

"He was a very aggressive player and a very experienced one. That's the kind of manager you want to play football for. He has great passing and great movement and I think I will enjoy it here because that's my kind of game.

"It was at the end of his career and at the beginning of my career when we met.

"For me, it was something great to play against him. He was very experienced and it was a good game."

Vogel, who can play in a variety of positions at the back and through the middle, captained the Swiss national side until March last year and has 94 caps for his country.

And he admitted he asked the advice of countrymen Stephane Henchoz and Bruno Berner, before sealing his move to East Lancashire.

He said: "When you go to a new club to train, and you already know two people, that's a great help and they told me only positive things about Blackburn."