Burton Albion midfielder Tom Naylor knows what it means for the Brewers to attract players with Premier League and international experience after Hope Akpan joined the club.
Akpan went straight into the Albion side for Tuesday night's pre-season friendly clash against Solihull Moors after signing a one-year deal earlier that day.
Boasting top-flight appearances with Reading from the 2012/13 campaign and international exploits with Nigeria, Akpan brings an established CV to the Pirelli Stadium for a player still only 25 years of age.
A graduate of the Everton academy, stints at Crawley Town, the Royals and Blackburn Rovers have seen Akpan gain game time in all four divisions of the Football League - and that is a commodity Nigel Clough will value in a player.
His presence alongside Matt Palmer in central midfield was telling, as the ex-Rovers man put in an assured and physical performance. He will surely add some valuable steel in the middle.
And Naylor is pleased that Burton are able to lure players of that calibre and experience to the club as they target another competitive campaign in the Championship.
Akpan and Naylor both played the first half of Tuesday's 2-1 win over Solihull, with Matty Lund and Marvin Sordell getting the crucial second-half goals for Albion.
Naylor wore the captain's armband and led from the back as he again started at centre-half, alongside Ben Turner.
But his was not the only vocal presence on the Damson Park field for the Brewers, with Akpan quickly settling into his midfield role with his new teammates.
And his skipper on the night says that Albion's newest signing has not taken long to make an impression on the dressing room.
"He seems a good lad," said Naylor post-match when asked about Burton's newest recruit.
"He is quite energetic, he's quite loud in the changing rooms - that's what we want.
Burton Albion's pre-season
"I thought he did really well tonight in that 45 minutes he got under his belt.
"We've only seen him tonight, and he has been quite loud in the changing rooms and he made the lads laugh - that's a good sign when you first come through the doors and you don't know anyone.
"It's always nice to attract experienced players like Hope.
"He has been and done that over his career, and it's always nice to get him on the board with us and hopefully take us a step in the right direction for the upcoming Championship games.
"With his physique, he'll put the foot in in the middle of the park - that's the type of person we need.
"As long as he keeps fit and stays fit, he'll be a massive addition to the club."
