Caolan Loughran admits he had some reservations about joining Loughgall back in January, but says the move couldn't have gone any better.
The 28-year-old defender is celebrating after helping the Villagers clinch the Championship title.
Dean Smith's side can now start their preparations for the Premiership, and Loughran says he wouldn't mind being part of the club's top-flight blueprint.
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The former Ballymena United and Carrick Rangers defender's current contract runs to the end of this season, but he has highlighted his desire to remain at Lakeview Park.
"You would have to ask Dean Smith that. But I would like to have a go at the Premiership with Loughgall," he said.
"They wanted me in January and I gave it a go. And they just made me feel like a brand new player.
"I enjoy going to training and matches.
"I know next year will be hard. You are up against a lot of teams with financial backing, but we will give it a crack anyway.
"If we can make Loughgall a hard place to go, and a hard team to beat, then that's half the battle."
He added: "I only signed to the summer, so we will see what happens. I only signed a six-month deal to test the water.
"There is a lot of travelling involved, but I love it. I knew a lot of Belfast clubs and the players, but I didn't know too many of the lads at Loughgall.
"It was a new challenge for me, so I just wanted to see how it would go until the end of the season. And it has been a fantastic decision.
"It has galvanised my career. Just that wee buzz.
"I love going down to training, and I know I am playing here so I am fully prepared and ready for the challenge every Saturday.
"I have that edge back to my game and it is nice feeling valued. I felt I was wasting my career.
"I was training and training, but I kept thinking 'what am I training for?'.
"I have played every minute of every game at Loughgall and I absolutely love it."
Loughran says he consulted Ballymena United coach Bryan McLaughlin before signing for Loughgall during the January transfer window.
He says the move was "out of my comfort zone", but one he had to make.
He said: "I asked Bryan about who the best team in the Championship was, and he said when they get it right Loughgall are the best in the league.
"It was out of my comfort zone as well, but I needed to give it a try. It isn't so often that you're challenging for a league title.
"I made the move in January, and it was a big decision for me. I was at Ballymena and it is my hometown club.
"Any time I played for Ballymena I was proud to wear the jersey. But I just wasn't getting the game time that I felt I deserved.
"I have a short career and I am 28 now, so I didn't want to sit around and waste a full season. I wanted to play football and get my name out there.
"I wanted to go and challenge for a title, and thankfully we have won it. I came here looking to earn promotion, and do it by winning the title.
"I spoke to Dean Smith on the phone. A lot of managers can say you're the greatest player on earth.
"But he just told me he wanted to win the league and he wanted to be in the Premiership. And he said he knew I wanted that, too, so why not do it together.
"It was as simple as that. I want to be in the Premiership. That's where every player wants to play."
Loughran admits winning the Championship title with Loughgall ranks up with his League Cup success with Ballymena United.
He was part of the Sky Blues team that lifted the trophy back in 2017 following a 2-0 win over Carrick Rangers at Seaview.
Loughran also joked he will enjoy getting one over his famous father Eamonn, a former world champion boxer.
"We get the league trophy on the last day of the season against Ballyclare. There will be a barbecue afterwards and all the families are invited down," he said.
"My dad will be there. I will tell him to keep the world title in the house as I have won something."
He added: "Winning the League Cup was special with Ballymena. That was an amazing day.
"I remember winning it with Leroy Millar who I grew up with playing football in Ballymena since I was a kid.
"I remember feeling so nervous in the morning and not being able to eat. And the game was on Sky Sports.
"Winning a league title with Loughgall is equally as good. Whether you win a Premiership title, or Championship 1 or the Ballymena Saturday Morning League, the feeling is the same.
"It is a very hard achievement to win a league title."
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