Newcastle United diehard Cameron Salkeld admits he can't wait to pull on the black and white of Ayr United.
The Geordie joined old boss David Hopkin at Somerset Park today after leaving Morton.
And the midfielder says he can't wait to replicate the passion of a Tyne-Wear derby when Ayr face Kilmarnock next season.
Salkeld, 22, told the Ayrshire Post: "I'm good mates with Craig McGuffie and he's told me all about how massive the game is here.
"I'm a Newcastle boy and the Newcastle-Sunderland derby is huge to me.
"So I can't wait to pull on the black and white and represent Ayr like I would Newcastle against Sunderland.
"I'm a passionate boy and I can't wait to be in amongst it."
Salkeld becomes the first capture of Hopkin's new-look Ayr and admits the manager was a huge factor in his decision to join United.
He said: "He brought me up to Morton from Gateshead and I loved playing for him.
"He gets results and is brilliant to play for.
"As soon as he left Morton, I was devastated.
"But as soon as he got the job here, it was a no brainer for me to follow him.
"There were other clubs interested but it was never a question for me. I wanted to come here and play for him.
"When you play for the boss you have to graft and work hard for the team.
"He wants his teams to attack and play with pace and energy and I think we'll be able to do that."
Hopkin added: "I’m delighted to get Cammy because he’s a lad with all the right attributes.
“He comes with a fantastic attitude and is someone I obviously know well from my time at Morton.
“He’s strong, will do a power of running for us and is versatile in terms of playing in midfield or up front.
“I know exactly what I’m getting with him and he should play a big part for us going forward.”
Hopkin hopes to complete deals for two centre-halves later this week as his Somerset rebuild continues.
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