VINCE Grella has revealed that two Aussies helped convince the midfielder that a move to Blackburn Rovers was the right one to make.

Tuesday saw Grella sign for Rovers on a four-year-deal from Italian club Torino for an undisclosed fee, with the 28-year-old explaining that he spoke to two players familiar with the club ahead of signing for Rovers, Brett Emerton and Lucas Neill.

"I'd spoken to Brett before the move," revealed Grella. "He's been here for a long time now and he enjoys his football here at Blackburn. He was very positive in speaking to me about the club.

"I'm also very good friends with Lucas Neill, and when he knew there was an interest from Blackburn he was another guy who spoke very highly of the club.

"So I sort of knew where I was going before I actually got here.

"I've known Emo since 1996 where we were at the Australian Institute of Sport together so we go back a long way. I've known Lucas for roughly the same time, we are all mates."

Rovers World subscribers can see our exclusive interview with the new signing online right now.