Daniel Bentley will have endeared himself to Brentford fans before he has even kicked a ball for the club.
The Bees' new keeper arrived at Griffin Park last week, but had fate taken a different turn, he could have ended up a few miles down the Uxbridge Road instead.
For it was only last summer that neighbours and rivals QPR made no less than three bids the 22 year old, all of which were turned down by Southend and Bentley.
And when asked why he felt the time was right this summer to make the move to west London, Bentley's answer will have Bees fans bursting with pride.
He said: “It's down to the manager and the ethos he has. I played against the his team when he was at Walsall, and they always had a resilience about them defensively and going forward. They made it a tough day for us, losing 2-0 at our place.
“It's the ethos of the whole club too and the way it is operated. I've kept a close eye, being a football man myself. You hear things and read things, and I would like to think I fit into the bracket of what the club is trying to achieve in terms of young hungry players, which is part of the reasons they have signed myself, John Egan and Romaine Sawyers.
“There is also the fact that it felt like a really homely up and coming club trying to achieve great things, and with everyone pulling in the right direction. It was a bit of a no-brainer for me in the end, and so many people were telling me it was a great step to take.
“There's no reason why we can't compete in this league and I'm really looking forward to being a part of it. Why just be comfortable with where we are? Let's try to fulfil the potential of these players.”
Bentley knows he faces a battle for the number one shirt though, for the first time since displacing former Bees favourite Paul Smith at Southend.
Current custodian David Button has been linked with a move away this summer, but Bentley urged his rival to stay and make it one hell of a fight for the shirt.
He added: “If he goes I'm ready to step into his shoes, if he stays then we have a healthy competition for the shirt, which will bring the best out of both me and him.
“I've been on the bench before and know what it's like to not be selected, but I also know what it's like to be number one, and that's a pressure I strive off.
“I think the club already has two excellent keepers. David has proved himself at this level and I've got a lot of respect for what he's achieved. I've seen him and Jack Bonham first hand in training and both are very solid, but ultimately there is only one shirt and its up for grabs.
“I like to think of myself as a bit of a quarterback. I've got a long throw and like to spray it from side to side. That's the way this clubs plays, and it's a style the manager and staff drive into the players. I think it will suit me as I see it as one of my strengths.”
