Tomas Rigo is ready to embrace the challenge of the Championship after thanking Stoke City for their patience to get the deal done.
The 23-year-old Slovakia midfielder finally completed a protracted transfer on Saturday after Banik Ostrava had been determined to keep him while trying to qualify for the league stage of the Europa Conference League.
He says he felt like a film star when he was introduced at the bet365 Stadium before the game against West Brom and, after flying straight back out to play for his country in World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Luxembourg, he hopes to be playing in front of them next time out at home against Birmingham City.
"(The reception) was amazing, the whole stadium applauded me," he said. "I felt like a movie star. It was very pleasant and I am glad for it. I hope to help them on the pitch in the next match."
He added: "I am very glad that the transfer took place. It didn't happen until the end of the transfer window so it stretched a bit more than I thought, however, I understood both sides. Banik needed me in the European preliminary rounds and they did not get away from this journey.
"I'm delighted that Stoke City accepted that and waited until this Saturday for me. I appreciate it and I firmly believe that the transfer there will be a good destination for me and will move me to an even better transfer or promotion with Stoke to the Premier League in the future."
Rigo had been with Banik for two years and was able to say goodbye to supporters following a two-legged tie against Slovenian side Celje last Thursday. Then it was a rush to the Potteries to get that deal over the line, with a four-year contract.
He told reporters back in Slovakia: "The last three or four days have been very difficult from the point of view of travel and the duties I had to go through.
"Immediately after the (Conference League) match, I took the car, went to Prague and arrived there at about 4am. At 7am we went to the airport, so there wasn't too much sleep. We flew to London and from there by car to Stoke.
"It was challenging, but it had to be done all the way through as the end of transfers approached. Everything turned out well and now I can fully concentrate on (playing for Slovakia this week) and then on the new challenge of life."
Stoke have been showing Rigo how he will fit into their plans - and he has been watching the flying start to the season with interest.
"I really liked the path they wanted to take and which they presented to me in video calls," he said. "They want to play nice combination football. I hope we don't kick (it long) a lot because it doesn't suit me too well. The second English league may be the way to go, although we know that this is a very difficult competition and many matches are played there. However, I believe that I am ready for it."
He added: "I had fun with the guys in the team who said that bread breaks in this league in December or January. Then there are the most matches and during this period we will see in which direction we will move. I believe that after my arrival it will remain in the same footsteps and we will play for the top ranks."
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