Andersen has signed on loan at Bristol Rovers until January 2010

Bristol Rovers' new signing, Denmark under-21 goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen, has revealed his sporting hero is not Peter Schmeichel but Muhammad Ali.

Andersen, 20, who has signed on loan from Reading, has ambitions to play in the Premier League and looks to the former boxing great for inspiration.

"He's had a really big influence on me with the mental side of the game," he told BBC Radio Bristol.

"It's going to be a massive part of what you do and he is the best ever."

Andersen has recently signed a contract extension at Reading but has yet to play for them and has been loaned out to several clubs.

"Bristol Rovers have been looking to get me here for a while and it's a great opportunity for me to come and play," he said.

"I want to be number one, get as many games as I can and do well for the club."

He will be vying for a starting place with the former Chelsea keeper Rhys Evans, who has signed a one-year deal at the Memorial Stadium, but Andersen maintains it will be a friendly rivalry.

"There is competition but it doesn't matter who it is, I'll always do my best and give 100%," he said.

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