Mendez-Laing: I saw a project here and want to be part of it
DERBY County signing Nathaniel Mendez-Laing says the rebuild which is gathering pace at Pride Park Stadium was a big factor in tempting him to sign for the club.
The 30-year-old winger became signing number three of the summer on Saturday evening.
Derby will be the 11th club of a career that started in 2009 with Wolverhampton Wanderers. He has since gone on to feature for, among others, Peterborough United, Cardiff City and, most recently, Sheffield Wednesday, clocking up more than 350 career appearances and scoring 50 goals.
Mendez-Laing joined Tom Barkhuizen and Joe Wildsmith through the door on Saturday.
Asked about the rebuilding of the squad under Liam Rosenior, he told Rams TV: “That’s a massive reason for me joining.
“I didn’t want to be part of something where they, as a club, aren’t playing for much or I’m just there to take part.
“I want to be part of the journey this club is about to go on.
“There had been interest from elsewhere but I think once I heard of Derby’s interest, it was something I wanted to keep in touch with.
“I don’t live far from here and I feel very settled.
“I’ve not been in the building long but I already feel settled and it’s something I really wanted to do.”
Asked about his first impressions on his new surroundings in training at Moor Farm, Mendez-Laing said: “It ticks all the right boxes for me. It’s the first time I’ve seen the training ground and it’s probably the best I’ve been to.
“The facilities are unreal. It’s a massive club and it shouldn’t be where it is but we are here and I’m excited to be part of the project.
“Hopefully, we can build on it and get the club back to where it needs to be. It’s a great place to be and I just want to get going now.
“I’ve seen players go back to preseason training and I’ve been doing my own thing but I just want to get going now and I can’t wait for the season ahead.”