Milan Jovanovic turned down a host of Europe’s top sides to try his luck in the cut-throat world of the Barclays Premier League.

Here, Yves Bouchard, of La Meuse – Belgium’s equivalent of the Liverpool Echo – tells us why he is confident the Serb will make a big impact on one of world football’s biggest stages.

The prospect of plying his trade with one of the world’s best teams is no longer a dream for Milan Jovanovic; it is a reality.

Indeed, a new challenge begins for the Serbian striker – and what a challenge.

Okay, so he will continue to terrorise defences wearing red, but now it is a vintage red.

In his heart he has always been torn between Juventus and Liverpool and now he has realised a boyhood dream to become one of Anfield’s very own.

Ever since arriving in Belgium, amidst a blaze of goalscoring headlines in the 2006-07 season, his future has been the subject of many a rumour.

How many clubs were interesting in catching ‘the snake’?

It’s impossible to say, but the list of names linked with the big forward is impressive to say the least.

Stuttgart, Marseille, Paris St Germain, Valencia, Sevilla, Panathinaikos, Olympiakos, AC Milan, Juventus, Birmingham and even Real Madrid – but Jova was not interested.  Not even the allure of playing for Los Galacticos turned his head. He did not want to be a bit-part player and I was one of the few people who wasn’t surprised by this.

Why?

Well, if there is one thing about Milan, it is that he has a clear idea of what is best for his career. He will relish the hustle and bustle of the Barclays Premier League and revel in the chance to make an impression on the world famous Kop.

The bigger the game, the bigger the motivation for Jova – and there are few bigger games, week in, week out, than in England.

But what about the player himself? What are his main attributes?

Well he has a magical left foot, a wonderful ability to dribble and, of course, his main quality – speed.

Take a look at the repertoire of goals that earned him Belgium’s Golden Shoe. The guy knows how to finish.

I’m certain that he has the quality and the characteristics to make a big impact in England and I’m sure the public of Anfield will be delighted with him, just like the Belgian fans have been.

To be honest, there was something quite alien about the fact he was playing here. He was too good for our championship and I think he will prove this at Liverpool.

We are really proud to see another Liege player making the move to Liverpool. The first, of course, was Ronny Rosenthal and all our hopes are for Jova to make the same sort of impact Ronny did, when he first arrived on Merseyside.

The love story between Jovanovic and Standard may well have come to an end, but we will always keep an eye out for his achievements and wish him all the best on his new adventure with the mighty Reds.