Deadline day signing Rory Holden says it was hard for him to leave his family and make the move to Ashton Gate.
But the new Bristol City youngster is ready to “kick on” at BS3 after departing Derry City.
The 20-year-old attacker joined Luke Steele and Tyreeq Bakinson in signing for the Robins last Thursday and is targeting big things with the Sky Bet Championship club.
“With the season now just starting here in England and with me being involved with Derry all year, I believe I can now kick-on,” Holden told the Derry Journal.
“Hopefully I can have a good season with Bristol City, play with the U23s and then try to break into the first team by the end of the season, that’s my goal.”
He added: “Yes it was hard leaving my family as well, but they believe in me, so I think I have made the right decision.”
Holden will initially go into the under-23 squad and feature for Luke Williams’ side, however, City fans got a glimpse of him in an open training session prior to him officially signing.
“I had a trial and trained with the first team for three days earlier in the week, before flying home and then I got word late on Wednesday night that the deal could actually happen, so I flew over on Thursday around 6pm and then finally got the deal done at 10.30pm,” he added.
He went on to say: “Yes it’s a big commitment for me but I actually see it as a step up in my career, by moving to England.”
The young forward also had international ambitions and is eventually targeting a place in Northern Ireland’s under-21 side.
He said: “Hopefully now I can break into the U21 squad team like Ben [Doherty] and Conor [McDermott], who I’m buzzing for after their win on Thursday night, but ultimately my first goal is to try and break into the first team over here and then if I get into the Northern Ireland U21 squad, then that's happy days, but I would rather see what happens with Bristol City first.”
