South Africa striker Benni McCarthy has blasted his former club Porto

Before moving to Blackburn Rovers, the South African striker saw bids from West Ham, Everton and Blackburn all turned down by the Portuguese outfit.

"I was a little unhappy as every time it got to the point of moving they wouldn't let me go," he said.

"I got frustrated, and that leads to unhappiness and that means a club does not get the best out of a player."

And McCarthy also revealed the frustrations of playing in a Portuguese league that was uncompetitive.

He said: "I was not unhappy to leave, it was the right time. I have won everything it is possible to win in Portugal and it was the end of my ambition.

"You know you are going to win the same things over and over again, so you want new challenges. I want it to be tough again."

McCarthy has also teamed up with international colleague Aaron Mokoena at Rovers.

He added: "He has been talking about me coming here from the moment he knew Blackburn were interested in me.

"The Blackburn players kept asking him what was I like, whether I could play and what sort of player I was.

"It is always nice to have a friend and fellow countryman at a club you join.

"But I believe he has told everyone I am a superstar, whereas I just consider myself an average player who has something to give to the game.