Connor Ripley says there was no contest between fighting for promotion in League One or battling against Championship relegation with Burton Albion when deciding on his next transfer move.
The 24-year-old has joined the Brewers on a season-long loan from Middlesbrough as he looks to compete with Stephen Bywater for a starting spot at the Pirelli Stadium and take his career onto the next level.
In signing up for a campaign with Nigel Clough's men, Ripley turned down offers from elsewhere, including the chance to return to Oldham Athletic, the side whose clean sheet record he equalled in helping to keep them in the third tier last term.
Northampton Town were another League One outfit interested in his services, according to the man himself, while Bristol City - Albion's Championship rivals - were also linked with a move for the ex-Motherwell loanee.
The chance to test himself in the Championship, though, was what informed Ripley's decision.
"I had a few offers," he confirmed ahead of tonight's Carabao Cup trip to face Oldham.
"I had a lot down in League One. Oldham were desperate to get me back, and I know Northampton were.
"But, ultimately, I wanted to be in the Championship.
"That is what I wanted to do. There were many people saying, 'would you rather a promotion challenge in League One or be in a relegation battle in the Championship?'
"For me, it's a no-brainer. You want to play at the highest level you can for as long as you can.
Burton Albion v Cardiff City
"Now I'm at a Championship club and hopefully get to play, I can show my quality and stay around the Championship."
Ripley is in line for his Burton debut in tonight's trip to Boundary Park in the Carabao Cup first round.
And after such a successful campaign there last term, he knows it will be extra special to make his Brewers debut on such familiar ground.
"I am excited to play - it doesn't matter who it was, I was always going to be excited to play," he added.
"But it makes it a bit more special that I'm playing against Oldham, because I connected well with the fans and the club.
"I've made some great friends at Oldham.
"But ultimately, I am a Burton player now, and I want to win and I want to get to the next round."
