Craig Bellamy finally ended his Newcastle nightmare as he signed a four-year deal with Blackburn Rovers in a deal worth £5m, taking the Wales internationals total transfer fee to £18m making him Wales' second most expensive player behind John Hartson.
The 25-year old snubbed Birmingham City for the second time this year to link up with former Wales coach Mark Hughes, while he will be kept company by international team mate Robbie Savage.
Bellamy is hoping to improve as a player and hopes fans will start talking about his football again rather than his reputation.
"If someone labels you, it is very hard to shake it off," he said.
"I know about my reputation, it is the first thing people think about. I did get myself into little scrapes when I was younger and a bit stupid, but there is only one manager I have worked under who ever spoke a bad word about me.
"Sir Bobby Robson has recommended me to every club who has asked, which I couldn't thank him enough for.
"Mark Hughes has signed me, so he can't think there is an issue, and it is the same with Gordon Strachan at Celtic.
"It is tough to accept I have left Newcastle because I really enjoyed my time there and to have the backing of those fans is incredible. But certain people made it clear there was no way back, so I have to move on.
"All I want to do now is prove my temperament is not a problem and get people talking about my football again."
He aded:
"I don't really want to talk about the other clubs who were interested in me.
"I just feel I have made the right decision by coming here.
"My previous experiences with Mark Hughes were a major factor because he is an exceptional coach and an incredible man.
"He has known me since I was 19, he knows how I play and so do all the coaching staff here. I still have plenty of improving to do but, with the guidance I know I will get here, I can't see why that can't happen.
"I know Blackburn had a problem scoring goals last season, so hopefully I can rectify that, either by scoring myself or creating them. And if that happens there is no reason why we cannot qualify for Europe."
Bellamy's arrival in Lancashire follows that of Shefki Kuqi from Ipswich who did well in the Championship last season, and Hughes will hope the pairing will be able to propel Rovers into the top half of the league.
Bellamy's move to Ewood Park reunites him not only with Hughes and Savage, but also former Wales coaches Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzwiecki who he hopes can help him improve his game.