Defender Darragh Lenihan says Middlesbrough's Premier League ambitions helped persuade him to sign for them this summer.
The 28-year-old, who played 252 games for Blackburn before his departure this off-season, joined Chris Wilder's Boro side on a four-year deal.
Lenihan has never had the chance to play in the top flight, having appeared in Leagues Two, One and Championship.
"We're going in the right direction," Lenihan told BBC Radio Tees.
"That's where I want to be, I want to get to the Premier League and after having some chats with him (manager Wilder), he knows what he wants.