New signing Nico Yennaris hopes his move to Brentford is a stepping stone back to the big time.
The 20-year-old defender left Premier League giants Arsenal to make the switch to Griffin Park this week on a two-and-a-half year deal.
Yennaris was highly regarded at the Emirates, but was restricted to just four appearances during his time in north London after progressing through the ranks.
However, the versatile youngster, who can also play in midfield, hopes Brentford can be a platform to showcase his talent.
He said: "I had six months left on my contract at Arsenal. It’s important to be out there playing. If you don’t play no-one gets to see you so it’s no good me sitting there playing reserve games. I need to be playing first-team football.
"I had to make a decision for my career. I wasn’t going to get a lot of game time there. Coming here and hopefully getting some good games under my belt, get promotion and play Championship football – that was the key for me.
"To others it might be a step back but to me it’s a stepping stone. You can sit here and say I think I should have play. If it wasn’t to be then, but who knows what will happen in the future? The door is never closed. If you do well you can always go back."
Yennaris, who knows Bees academy chiefs Ose Aibangee and Shaun O'Connor from his time at Arsenal, paid tribute to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger for giving him the green light to get on with his career.
He added: "Arsene was great to me. He also helped this move. Some managers can stop you from going, but he was very helpful with it.
"He was full of praise for me and I got good reports from him to the manager here. He was great to me and he gave me good advice. He said I could call him if I need help."
