Reiss Nelson has admitted he wanted to join a club where he knew he would get first-team opportunities after completing a season-long loan to Brentford on Deadline Day.
Nelson had a number of offers on the table to leave Arsenal on Deadline Day but chose Brentford because he believes he can get regular minutes this season.
The 25-year-old said he also spoke to fellow Hale End academy graduate Josh Dasilva, who is continuing his rehab from a serious knee injury at Brentford, before deciding to join the west London club.
"I can't wait to get going," he said. "It's a big platform for me to express myself, and that's what I need right now.
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"I wanted to go to a club where I know I'm going to play regularly; I know there's competition for places but I'm going to train hard and show myself that I can get the minutes I deserve."
Nelson, who spent last season on loan at Fulham, added: "I'm a player that expresses myself. I want the fans to go away thinking about a goal, an assist, or something exciting I'd done.
"I'm very passionate. It might only be a loan, but I'm going to care for the club like it's my own.
"I'm excited to get out there in front of the fans."
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Nelson was Brentford’s only signing on deadline day, with the club opting not to pursue an out and out replacement for Yoane Wissa after he completed his £55million move to Newcastle.
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews praised Nelson’s Premier League experience, adding that his skillset will complement the Bees’ frontline.
“Reiss has a skillset that will complement the rest of the attacking players we have. He’s a dribbler and he’s very comfortable with the ball at his feet,” Andrews said.
“I really like his Premier League experience and know-how of the league, as well as his age profile.
“He’s coming into the optimum years of his career, and he’s shown a real desire to come here when there’s been a lot of interest elsewhere.”
Nelson becomes Brentford’s seventh signing of the summer and will provide depth to the frontline following the departures of Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo.
