Robbie Fowler was unveiled as a Leeds United player this afternoon after his transfer from Liverpool where he had played for 15 years.
England international Fowler, who signed a five-year contract, told a press conference: "I think it was fairly clear the way things panned out at Liverpool that I needed a new challenge and Leeds United are as good as any club in Europe at the moment".
Fowler, still only 26, made the move after losing his first-team place at UEFA Cup holders Liverpool, where he had a well-publicised training ground row earlier this year with caretaker manager Phil Thompson.
But Liverpool-born Fowler said he had left his home town club on good terms. "The people were always magnificent to me . . . I left Liverpool on good terms with every single player and every single manager," he said.
Fowler said: "The World Cup was an influence. It is hard when three players at one club are fighting for two places. With me, Michael Owen and Emile Heskey all trying to get into the team it made it more difficult for me with England.
"It is a challenge. Leeds have offered me a chance and I feel as though I will be given a better chance here," he said. "No one at Liverpool has said any bad things about me. This team is going places. That suits me".
Leeds manager David O'Leary said: "Robbie is technically as good as anybody". O'Leary said he had made an offer for Fowler when Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink quit Leeds a few seasons ago. Fowler could make his debut for his new club in the Premiership clash at Fulham on Sunday.