Such is Will Nightingale’s affection for AFC Wimbledon it was always going to take a tempting offer to move on.
That has made the English defender all the more determined to embrace the opportunity he has been handed with Ross County.
Nightingale made the move to Victoria Park earlier this summer, on a loan deal until January.
Staggies boss Malky Mackay has hinted he will explore the possibility of extending the deal if club and player are content with the way the move is working out.
Nightingale has spent his entire career with the Dons, where he has racked up more than 200 senior appearances.
The 28-year-old is now relishing the next chapter of his career with the Staggies.
He said: “I’ve been at Wimbledon for 20 years and I’m proud of that, but I always had aspirations to move higher in my career.
“I’ve had a few opportunities where I came close to leaving, but it was the wrong time.
“There was other League One interest when Wimbledon were in League One and I was club captain, having just had my first born. It didn’t make sense to leave at the time, so I ended up staying loyal to Wimbledon.
“There were other times I nearly left.
“This opportunity popped up and, to be fair, I wanted a fresh start. I want to give it everything really.”
Opportunity to work with Staggies boss Mackay a big factor
Nightingale is determined to reward Mackay for showing persistence to lure him north of the border.
Despite moving to a new league, Nightingale says he is not short of familiar faces in the County dressing room.
He added: “They showed a keen interest and, as a player, that’s all you want. You want to be wanted and have that faith placed in you, then repay that faith.
“Obviously the fact that Malky was a centre-half and had such a good career himself was another factor.
“I’m a big believer that you’re never really the finished article.
“I wanted to come up here and test myself, but also look to get better and keep improving as well.
“A lot of the boys have taken a similar path in their careers.
“It’s funny, you come up here thinking you won’t know anyone, and end up recognising quite a lot of the boys.
“I’ve played against six or seven of them, and I’ve played with one of them.
“Ben Purrington was on loan at Wimbledon from Rotherham, just before he went to Charlton.
“I played with Ben for half a season.
“It has been more familiar than I expected.”
Partnership with Baldwin blossoming
Nightingale is developing a central defensive partnership with County skipper Jack Baldwin, while former Salford City defender Ryan Leak has also been drafted in to provide another rearguard option.
As the season progresses, Nightingale insists the understanding between players will only grow stronger.
Nightingale, who is preparing to face St Johnstone at Victoria Park in the Premiership today, added: “I played against Jack a few times. I think he’s a top player.
“He’s been brilliant with me since I came in.
“It’s important to build those relationships, especially on the defensive side.
“The more you play with someone, the better you get as a partnership as you start to understand how they play, when they like to attack things and when they like to sit off.
“When you’re on the same wavelength, it only gets better.”
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