Rico Quitongo says a move to Airdrie will help him and the club, and that feeling wanted was a big part of his decision to move.
The 21-year-old defender wants to play at the highest level he can, and says going full-time with the Diamonds will be a major step in that direction, having left Dumbarton this summer.
Quitongo, son of former Hamilton and Hearts star Jose, was grateful for the help that former Sons boss Jim Duffy gave him over the last two seasons, and says Ian Murray can continue that at Airdrie.
"The gaffer said I'm someone he has always kept his eye on, which is great to hear," said Quitongo.
"Just talking to him I felt wanted, and that's a good sign that you want to feel as a player, no matter what level or club it is.
"He says I can improve Airdrie and Airdrie can improve me, and it's full-time training, so it's a win-win for both parties.
"We've still to make a few additions, but we'll be going for the title - why not?
"I know Queen's Park are coming into the league and there's Falkirk, but why not Airdrie? We finished second last year so we just need to go for it and anything can happen.
"With a good few additions we can take it from there.
"I'd say I'm an ambitious but realistic guy. Am I going to go and play for Real Madrid? Probably not, but growing up I always wanted to play the highest I could, and playing in League One is great for me.
"People years ago would say League One's not a great league but last season it was, and probably the hardest, because anybody could beat anybody.
"For myself, I need to keep playing games, performing well, and anything can happen.
"I just need to keep working hard for myself."
Rico added: "I'm delighted with the move. It was something that was done quickly, and the option of going full-time was something that I wanted to accomplish by going to Dumbarton, so it's a step towards where I want to be, and that's good.
"The move to Dumbarton was great. I came from youth football [with Hamilton and Hearts] and was a year out because of a shoulder operation, so going straight to men's football was brilliant for me, and under Jim Duffy - what a guy, so it was great for me.
"It was a real learning curve to play under him and last year was something different compared to the first year I was there because Covid happened.
"We were then in a dog-fight to avoid relegation, so it's all going to stand me in good stead, I guess, in the future."
Having been involved in that dog-fight to keep Dumbarton in League One, Quitongo says he hasn't had much of a summer break, but isn't really interested in that.
He said: "We're starting in a week or two. I was at Dumbarton and we were in relegation play-offs, and obviously Airdrie were in the play-offs as well, so we've not had a long break but I'd rather be going back into training than staying off and doing your own running.
"Being back in and meeting the new boys will be great. I've kept myself ticking over, only had a few days off, and I've been back in my personal training and one-to-one sessions.
"I want to get stronger and fitter to go into next season."
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