First impressions last and Callum Morris took little time to set his heart on a move to Ross County once he saw the Dingwall club’s impressive setup.
Morris joined County last week on a two-year deal after opting to end his second stint with Championship rivals Dunfermline.
The 28-year-old defender has experience of both ends of the scale having come through the youth ranks with hometown club Newcastle United before dropping down to non-league football with Blyth Spartans and Hayes and Yeading, along with a short stint in Spain with Jerez Industrial.
Morris spent two years with the Dunfermline after joining in 2012 before moving to Dundee United. He also had a six-month stint with Aberdeen in 2016 but failed to make an appearance before returning to the Pars.
Morris reckons the Victoria Park facilities would be the envy of the Dons along with many of the other clubs he has played for.
He said: “I believe you get a feel for things and it’s a big part of any decision you make.
“When I came up, especially after speaking to the chairman and the managers and hearing what their vision was with the squad and what they want to do next season, I wanted to be a part of it.
“I have seen everything in football – I’ve been on the rollercoaster a while now. Facilities are a huge part of football. Regardless of what people say, it’s massive.
“It’s just little things like having a proper ice bath in the changing room that make a massive difference – especially over a season.
“When the weather is bad we’ve got the indoor training pitches. A lot of clubs don’t have that.
“It makes a huge difference and I think boys realise that. It just shows the ambition of the club.”
Morris’s move to the Highlands has reacquainted him with several former team-mates from his spell with Dundee United.
Despite County’s relegation to the Championship, Morris believes the standard of player being kept on shows the intent of co-managers Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson.
Morris, who has been called up by Northern Ireland through his Belfast-born father, added: “Without them even opening their mouths, you just have to look at the players they have retained.
“I have played with a few of them, such as Billy Mckay and Michael Gardyne, as well as Ryan Dow.
“Keeping people like that shows you their intent straight away. It shows what they want for next season.
“Getting a promotion would be massive for everyone in the changing room – not just me. Our goal is obviously to get back to the Premiership.”