Sean McGinty insists he was only accepting one offer this summer when old boss David Hopkin came calling.
The former Morton skipper has become the latest name to swap Cappielow for Somerset Park.
McGinty, who will be joined by fellow 'Ton defender Markus Fjortoft at Ayr, says he didn't have to think twice about following his old gaffer down the road.
The 27-year-old told the Ayrshire Post: "I really enjoyed playing under him [Hopkin] at Morton and we enjoyed good success during his time there.
"I enjoy the way he builds his team and we had a really good relationship so I can't wait to work with him again.
"I had other options on the table and turned down a very good offer to stay at Morton.
"But for me it came down to how much I wanted to play for the gaffer again."
McGinty, who came through Charlton Athletic's youth system, won a dream move to Manchester United as a kid for a reported £1 million.
But his career failed failed to take off at Old Trafford and his last three years have been spent north of the border at Partick and 'Ton.
He has penned a one year deal at Somerset with an option for another on top of that.
McGinty added: "I love it up here and the Championship is obviously a really exciting league to be part of.
"Ayr have always been a good side in my time up here and were in the play-offs the year before last.
"They probably underachieved a bit last year so we've got to try and improve on that this season.
"With the fans coming back we have to try and get that feel good factor back in the stadium and push up the table.
"But first and foremost we have to go out there and show the right attitude each and every Saturday.
"It's going to be a massive season with the Kilmarnock derby games and there will be a lot of excitement around the club, so I can't wait to get started."
Hopkin hailed the capture of the 6'4 centre half as a "great bit of business" for his new look side.
He said: "Sean is a winner and someone who will bring exactly the kind of character I need to this dressing room.
"He and Markus were part of the third best defence in the league at Morton last season and they will give us a very solid base to work from.
"Sean had a very good offer on the table to stay where he was but he chose to come here and that speaks volumes for his desire to be an Ayr player."
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