New Aston Villa signing Micah Richards has spoke joyfully about how he can't wait to get started with his new team, and the excellent facilities on offer in the Midlands.
Richards completed his free transfer from Manchester City to Villa on Monday as his City contract expired, although the deal had been in place for a matter of weeks.
The Sherwood effect
The defender becomes Tim Sherwood's second signing of the summer, after Scott Sinclair completed a permanent move following his loan spell, as the Villa manager looks to build his own squad during his first transfer window in charge of the club.
Sherwood had a very successful half season stint as Villa boss, dragging them out of the relegation zone, and leading them to the FA Cup final. Richards mentioned what a big difference this made to him choosing to sign for the team, saying "since he has come in, the impact has been amazing," adding that he has "got the team playing really well".
Revealing that as soon has he spoke to Sherwood, "there was only one place I wanted to come," Richards noted that he was impressed by how the former Premier League winning captain had "given the team a new lease of life".
Pre Season
The Villa players are scheduled to return to the club's Bodymoor Heath training ground next Monday, ahead of a busy pre-season schedule. The Villans will travel to Portugal for a training camp and two friendly games, before returning to England for four further matches.
This won't be a problem for Richards, who praised the "amazing facilities" on offer, adding that he was "looking forward to the hard work," and couldn't "wait to get started".
Proving the doubters wrong
There have been some doubts about whether Richards can regain the form that saw him capped by England at an early age. He struggled to find a place in the City line up after Pablo Zabaleta joined, and didn't impress on loan to Fiorentina last season.
However, the player thinks differently, and was commanding in saying that he "still has his best years ahead" and "hopes to do good things this season".