Jan Bednarek is embracing a new adventure upon joining Aston Villa from Southampton on a season-long loan.
The defender spent five years with Saints after moving to England from his native Poland, making 153 appearances for the south-coast side.
And Bednarek feels Villa is the best place for him to be this season.
“I’m happy, excited and looking forward to a new adventure for me,” he said.
“It’s a great opportunity for me and another great step. It’s really important for me to move to a bigger club and to improve as a player, and Villa is the best place for me to do that."
Bednarek added: “It’s a massive club in England. Coming from Poland, I wasn’t aware how big Villa is.
“I think the fans are amazing, the stadium’s amazing and also the training ground. I’m really happy to be joining this club.”
The 26-year-old will encounter a few familiar faces, in the shape of countryman Matty Cash and former team-mate Danny Ings, when he trains with the squad at Bodymoor Heath for the first time.
“I think I’m the one he (Cash) needs to help teach him Polish for when he comes with the national team,” Bednarek joked.
“I know Matty very well and Danny Ings, who I used to play with at Southampton, so I think I’ll be accommodated very quickly here.”
The imposing centre-back is also well acquainted with Villa Park from his time in the Premier League.
And Bednarek is looking forward to pulling on the claret and blue in B6.
He added: “It was a tough place to come whenever I played there with Southampton.
“It was always a great atmosphere and it’s a great stadium, so I’m looking forward to playing in front of our fans and winning games to make them happy.”
