Lewis Baker was delighted when a move to Blackburn Rovers reignited after talks earlier in the transfer window.
The midfielder became the club's seventh piece of business this summer on Thursday, signing on a season-long loan from Stoke City.
John Eustace had been keen to add another central midfielder after Jake Garrett's loan to Bristol Rovers. Baker was a player he was keen to sign and Rovers obliged, striking a deal.
Discussions have been ongoing between the two clubs at various points in the summer. With Baker out of contract next summer, a permanent move had been in the offing.
READ MORE: ROVERS TRANSFER STATE OF PLAY AS BAKER SIGNS
The midfielder explained how delighted he was to see talks re-open between the clubs and why he decided Rovers was the right club for him.
"I'm excited to get going, the club have had a good start to the campaign and I hope I can add to that and improve," he told RoversTV.
"We had some discussions earlier in the window and it went cold for whatever reason. Then it picked up in the last 48 hours and I was delighted to hear about it.
"I spoke to my agent, we had long discussions about it. I think this is a place and there's a squad that I can really improve and help bring my qualities to the team.
"I wasn't going to be in the plans at Stoke so I saw this opportunity and it's something I'm excited to get going with.
"Every time I've played away at Blackburn, it's been a difficult place to play. The fans are always right behind the team. The atmosphere can be great when it's rocking.
"People at the club have already spoken about the weekend and what a game to arrive for. I'm excited for it. It'll be the manager's decision but I'm ready."
He added: "I am working every day to improve. I want to prove myself and get better by half a per cent because that builds. I am striving to be at the top end of the division.
"I feel like I have plenty of experience but there isn't a day where there isn't room for improvement in any area. On the pitch, off the pitch.
"My targets are to show exactly what I am about and what I can do. As a team, I feel like we can definitely challenge at the right end.
"I think it's healthy to have competition on a day-to-day basis because that brings the best out of people. Everyone wants to play, nobody doesn't want to play. Healthy competition always helps."
Baker will bolster Rovers' midfield options and compete with Lewis Travis, Sondre Tronstad and John Buckley for minutes. He believes he has a skillset that will complement the group.
"I'm a central midfielder that likes to do a bit of everything," he explained.
"I'm more experienced now so I want to help people improve around me and be a team player.
"I've been a lot of places in my career and it's all different experiences that help you get well-rounded. As a person, as a player, different tactics, players, cultures, environments. Hopefully, I can bring a lot of that to Blackburn."
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