Sven Botman has spoken with excitement about the project he was sold by Newcastle United chiefs during a series of talks with club chiefs in both January and June.
The 22-year-old has looked unflappable in pre-season and even with a £34million price tag on his shoulders he does not look fazed by the challenges ahead of him in the Premier League.
For a long time during the spring months, Serie A giants AC Milan claimed victory on the Botman deal but with the champions of Italy unable to get their funds in order after a takeover, Newcastle's bigger and better bid finally got accepted, the Dutchman's mind was made up.
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And during his first round of interviews with the media over in Austria for pre-season it also emerged that he may even have ended up on Tyneside in January had Lille not blocked all bids for his services.
Botman did not come across as a player that was demoralised about not signing for Milan. Instead, he made it clear that he hopes one day that Newcastle can be playing on a level playing field as the former Champions League winners.
Botman said: "In England, Newcastle United is a big club. In Europe, AC Milan are the team with the history in European competitions and playing regularly in the Champions League.
"But I know Newcastle are a really big club, and with this project and the goals we have, if we can achieve that in a couple of years, yeah I think we could become a big club in Europe, that every player will want to go to."
Before signing, Botman also revealed he spoke to a player that knows both Newcastle and AC Milan better than most. Botman added: "Yes I spoke with one former Newcastle player in Patrick Kluivert.
"They had a lot of Dutch players in the late 1990s. What you know automatically about Newcastle is that they are a very big club and they have played Premier League football for a long time.
"They normally play in the top flight and I know last season was a little bit tricky. They have had some good seasons and they have been back and forwards too. But with this new project I think we can make new history. I certainly hope so."
Kluivert's stint at Newcastle was up and down but he still emerged with 13 goals in his only campaign and is remembered fondly for two important goals against Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.
The ex-Netherlands star may have provided Newcastle with another important strike by telling Botman he would be a "good fit" at St James' Park.
Botman said: "Patrick played just one season here but he told me where he lived and what the life is like in Newcastle. He told me what the Premier League is like and how it is different from other countries and competitions.
"He told me that with my profile that I would fit in here so that was good advice. I got opinions and views on the club and the league. I have the same agent as Patrick and I played with his son Justin."
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