‘Rotherham will get me to where I want to be’: Ex-Premier League striker Peter Odemwingie signs for Millers
Former Stoke star has been out of contract and was on trial at League 1 Bolton - but jumped at the chance to play in the Championship
PETER ODEMWINGIE believes his short-term move to Rotherham United will "help me get back to where I want to be".
The former West Brom and Stoke striker, 35, joined on a three month deal until the end of January subject to EFL and FA clearance - and he cannot wait to get started.
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He was on trial at Bolton Wanderers in League 1 from the end of last week until lunchtime today - but chose the Millers in the league above who came in with an eleventh hour deal, having played in the Championship on loan at Bristol City last campaign.
Speaking exclusively told Sun Sport, he said: "It's been a crazy day. I am a bit sad for Bolton, because they are lovely people there and I really enjoyed myself.
"But I think the Championship will help me get back to where I want to be. I still have so much to offer and am itching to play football after so many months out.
"I believe I can still play in one of the top leagues in Europe, and ever since I contacted Kenny, I knew Rotherham can showcase what I can still offer to the game."
Rotherham are struggling at the foot of the Championship with only one win all season and are currently five points from safety having sacked Alan Stubbs last week.
His replacement Kenny Jackett has been brought in on a three year deal - and Nigerian international Odemwingie, a three time Premier League player of the month winner, is delighted to work with such as established manager, who has made him his first signing at the New York Stadium.
He added: "Kenny is a great manager, he really knows the game well and I want to to do him and the fans proud and try and get us out of this mess.
"The club has fantastic facilities and I feel despite my lack of games, I am really getting back to my best. I've always enjoyed being under pressure and getting out us out of a sticky situation."
There was also interest in Odemwingie from overseas, but the striker, who became a British citizen last month, wanted to stay close to his wife Sarah and new baby girl who was only born earlier this month.
He recently told SunSport of his willingness to start from scratch in a bid to revive his career, which saw him out of contract after his Stoke release.
He said: "I will play my way, starting from scratch, to get back to whatever level that I can. I need a window to show what I can still do.
"I'm just a big kid who misses football.
“I want to serve a purpose and show people you don’t have to give up, that I will absolutely 100 per cent go down a level – there is nothing to hide."
He kept himself incredibly fit in the meantime, as retirement was never an option – even entertaining thoughts of playing for Nigeria in the 2018 World Cup.
He added: “I have briefly thought of retiring gracefully, but the next three months will probably decide the rest of my career.
“I don’t want to be one of those has-beens who carries on – but I sit at home watching TV, seeing someone get a ball where I would love to receive it and he didn’t make the best of it.
“And I say to myself ‘what am I doing on the sofa still’ – so I will go out there at whatever level and I believe in myself so much to attract enough interest in the higher levels to get myself back.”