New signing Kevin Davies claims the welcome he received from Preston North End at his very first meeting with the Club’s officials was a major factor in his decision to sign for the Lilywhites.
The 36-year-old put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Deepdale on Wednesday morning after being released from Lancashire neighbours Bolton Wanderers at the end of last season.
And the England international admits he was impressed with North End’s offer immediately, thanks to the importance the Club’s hierarchy had obviously placed on capturing his signature.
“I think it was all done in that first meeting to be honest with you, I was impressed with what Simon [Grayson] had to say, and Peter [Ridsdale] and Mr Hemmings,” he told PNE.Com.
“They all came in to see me and we had a good meeting and they talked about the ambition and where they want to be.
“They want to be pushing for promotion this year and that’s one of the reasons that I decided to join in the end.”
The forward, who has notched over 125 career goals to date, revealed that the length of contract offered by North End was a big plus and explained how he expects the Lilywhites to gain promotion in his first campaign with the Club.
“They’ve given me a two-year contract, and at my tender age, it’s one of the reasons I came,” Davies continued.
“I know I can carry on playing for at least another two years. I have dropped down a league but next year I believe we’ll be playing in the Championship and that’s why I’m here.”
Davies will now link up with his former Blackburn Rovers teammate Simon Grayson – and the striker admits that re-joining the Yorkshire-man was too good an opportunity to turn down.
“To be honest, he was one of the big reasons I have come here,” he said.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of people in football who have worked with him, some of my friends, and they had many great things to say about him.
“He knows this league and he knows how to get out of this league and I’m just pleased I’m going to be working under him.”
North End’s new No. 9 could feature in Saturday’s glamour friendly against Premier League giants Liverpool – but for now he knows he must knuckle down and put in some graft after missing the opening 13 days of pre-season training.
“It’s down for me to get down to business and go down to the training ground this afternoon and start doing a bit of work,” Davies continued.
“Obviously I’ve missed the first ten or 12 days of pre-season so although I’ve been doing my own work, I’m keen to get up there and meet everybody and start putting the hard work in.
“We’ve got a big game at the weekend and the seasons not too far away for us.”
Full interview to follow on PNE Player.