Greg Sloggett is relishing every minute of his move into full-time football and declared: “It’s all I've wanted in life.”
The midfielder, 22, was a standout performer in UCD’s run to the First Division title and FAI Cup semi-final last season only for Derry City to pounce over the winter.
And as returning boss Declan Devine continues to put his stamp on the new look Candystripes, Sloggett has been central to the revolution.
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Ahead of tonight’s clash with Sligo Rovers, Sloggett said: “It’s been a big change with moving city, moving club, a complete new squad.
“Declan had to gel all that together and it’s been difficult, but I feel we’ve made a great start.
“I was studying away at UCD, so this is my first taste of full-time football and it’s a great experience to have in such a big city.
“I was studying computer science - software development, software engineering, that sort of stuff.
“I’m delighted to have that in my back pocket, but full-time football is where I want to be, 100 percent.
“This is what I wanted to do all my life and it’s great to have the opportunity to do that. I’m delighted to commit my life to football now.”
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Sloggett, who left a day job behind in Dublin, continued: “It’s been a good start to the season and I feel I’ve contributed my part. I’ve been really happy here and have settled in well.
“Declan has instilled a good spirit within the squad and you can feel that around the city. But I’ve really settled in well and I’m enjoying my football here.”
League action resumes in earnest tonight following the enforced break due to international call-ups.
And Derry want to bounce back after losing 2-0 at home to champions Dundalk in their last game - one they started brightly before getting sucked under.
“Look, you can only take so many positives from a game you lose,” added Sloggett, who overturned his former club on the opening day of the season.
“It was disappointing, especially when I thought we held our own. We had our chances to score some goals.
“But Dundalk took their chances and we didn’t. But we’ve held our own in many ways this season and we can only build on that.”
Sloggett is convinced there are positive vibes brewing on Foyleside and insists their season can be one where they look up rather than over their shoulder.
“We’ve played Shamrock Rovers, Cork, Dundalk and Waterford, and we’ve had good results,” he added. “There’s a lot more to come and we can expect a lot more.”
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