YOURI Djorkaeff has vowed that he can return to the form which helped France win World Cup '98 and Euro 2000, to keep the Whites in the Premiership writes Richard Mulligan

The forward, one of Europe's finest players over the last decade, was finally revealed before a massive media presence yesterday at the Reebok Stadium after putting pen to paper with the club last week.

Some doubts have been raised about the signing, mostly due to his less than amicable departure from German side Kaiserslautern and his reported wage figures, but the former Paris St Germain and Inter Milan star believes that he still has the capabilities which took France to the top of the world.

After his turbulent period in Germany he is looking forward to working with Sam Allardyce and his new team-mates, and helping Bolton to retain their top flight status.

"I can be as good here as I was in 1998 and 2000," he promises. "The challenge at Bolton is very exciting for me. It is different because I have never been caught up in a relegation battle before.

"I had other offers to play in England but I know it has been a good decision for me to come here.

"My meeting with the manager was very important. We spoke in the beginning about Bolton as a town, the club itself and the atmosphere here. After my time in Germany I really want to find this good atmosphere.

"It will be interesting and I want to do my best for the team. This is an important time both for me and Bolton, every game will be very big."

Djorkaeff has made it clear that he intends to use his time at Bolton - he is contracted at the Reebok until the end of the season - as a springboard to the French World Cup squad for South Korea and Japan.

He feels that coming to England will be a boost to his chances, especially with so many of his fellow countrymen already plying their trade in the Premiership. He spoke to new Wanderers team-mate Bruno N'Gotty before coming to the area, and close friends Fabien Barthez and Laurent Blanc are just down the road at Manchester United.

"When I signed, all my friends from the national team called me and were very happy for me," he adds.

"At World Cup '98 everyone seemed to be playing in Italy but now half the French team plays in the Premier League.

"It seems like a good place for French players. All the teams here play at a good level. After my success in France, Italy and Germany I would love to prove myself here."

Djorkaeff pours scorn on rumours that he was a trouble-maker at Kaiserslautern, putting the blame on his fall-out with the club firmly at the door of manager, former German World Cup winner Andi Brehme.

He had not played since October at the Bundesliga side, and had made just four appearances there this season, but Wanderers fans can be assured that was due to his relationship with Brehme rather than the 33-year-old being past his best.

"The problem at Kaiserslautern was that Brehme was a bad person, and wanted to make a problem for me," says Djorkaeff.

"Everything was fine in the beginning, but I was more famous than Brehme and that was a problem for him.

"The people in Kaiserslautern gave me a name which translates as 'World Champion'. I was an example for the people, and Brehme could not live with that.

"I want to do well for myself and Bolton, I don't feel I have to prove anything to Kaiserslautern."