Callum Slattery admits former Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster convinced him to move to Scotland.
The 22-year-old has joined Motherwell in a three-year deal from Southampton, where he played with Forster.
The Englishman enjoyed two successful spells north of the border and he talked up the quality of football in the Scottish Premiership.
Slattery's addition is a major coup for the Steelmen and the midfielder also trained with Rangers' Steven Davis during his time on the south coast.
"I have had chats with Fraser who played here for a while," said Slattery.
"That sums it up for me really, a lot of quality players have moved up to Scotland and I was attracted to it.
"He told me the Scottish league isn't as easy as some people may think it is. As a young player it will be a test, and that is definitely what I need.
"I need to play football and I need to test myself. I had James Ward- Prowse and Harrison Reed in front of me at Southampton.
"They have kicked on, but I learned a lot from them. I was progressing at Saints, but I felt as though the time was right for me to move on.
"I was a younger lad when Steven Davis was there, but I trained with him a few times and he is a great player."
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