New signing Jordan Storey believes he can become a man with his move to Preston North End.
The 20-year-old defender put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Lilywhites and sees it as an opportunity to develop further after a rapid rise into the first team at Exeter City.
The Yeovil-born centre half made his breakthrough in the second half of the season at St James’ Park, as he and he team-mates reached the Play-Off Final at Wembley, ultimately losing to Coventry City under the arch.
Speaking to iFollow PNE he said: “It is a new challenge for me and I can’t wait to get started at a big club.
“I will hopefully grow into a man moving up here. I come from quite a quiet place, but this is a great life experience and hopefully I can grow from it.
“The last couple of months have been great for me. We managed to get to the Play-Off Final and it didn’t manage to work out for us, but on a personal note, from where I have come from, it has been great for me.”
Jordan’s involvement by Paul Tisdale came after a number of injuries to the Grecians’ backline, but even after more senior players returned from injury, he kept his place, right through to the finale.
“I took my chance when it came along,” he continued. “I managed to keep a number of very good defenders out of the side, so it was a great feeling to do what I did and to play in the Play-Off Final.
“It was a massive experience. Lincoln were a big strong team and we did well to get through to the Final.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t work out, but it was a great experience, playing on a massive scale in front of 50,000. The Championship has crowds similar to that, so it puts me in good stead to deal with that.”
So what can PNE fans expect from the new recruit? “I am quite raw, but I am aggressive, athletic, I like to win the ball a lot and I want to do the best I can for myself and the club.
“I want to be learning as much as I can. The manager is going to mould me and build me into the best player that I can hopefully be. It was nice to speak to him and to get to know him and I am looking forward to getting started.
“It is always nice to have the security of a four-year contract behind me, but I can’t take that for granted, I have to keep progressing and build on that.
“It is a cracking stadium and it is different to what I have been playing in regularly and I can’t wait to get started and show what I am about. Like all the lads, I want to start by hitting the ground running, show what I can do and impress,” he added.