The 28-year-old signed a four-year deal at Ewood Park after Rovers manager Mark Hughes, who needed a replacement for Craig Bellamy, secured his services from FC Porto.

"I was very thrilled because it's always been a dream of mine," said McCarthy.

"I have had so many opportunities for me to come to England but always something seemed to go wrong, the wind always blew me to Portugal, to Spain or Holland but never to England.

"Blackburn never lost faith. It didn't happen last season but this season they fought again and finally I'm here and I'm going to make the most of it."

McCarthy paid tribute to Hughes who he believes was one of the major reasons why he decided to move to Lancashire.

"Blackburn are a great club and they are managed by one of the best strikers ever to play in England," said McCarthy.

"So, for me, it's a privilege and an honour to play for this team. I hope to score as many goals as possible to put the team where they belong.

Hughes, who sold Bellamy to Liverpool, has been busy in the transfer market in the summer adding Jason Roberts, Jason Brown and Francis Jeffers to a squad that finished sixth in the Premiership last term.

"I'm pleased with the business we've done so far," said Hughes.

"At the end of the day, Craig has gone and we're not going to harp on about players that aren't here anymore.

"Instead, I'm focusing very much on the guys that are here and they have a job to do for us this year."