Paul Dixon admits the decision to come back to Scotland and Dundee United was a “no-brainer” for him and his family.
The left-back made his return to Tannadice after two years and a half years at Huddersfield on transfer deadline day at the start of this week.
With United already in the League Cup Final and still battling away in the Scottish Cup and the Premiership, it is an exciting time to be with the Tangerines once again.
There is also much happening off the field with Dixon’s wife just weeks away from giving birth to their second child as well as settling into what was previously his family home.
The player admits it will be great to have his “support network” back after what was a difficult time down south.
Dixon said: “It was very tough. It was just myself, my wife and our little one.
“So whenever we didn’t have family down, it was tough on our own.
“But it’s definitely a life-experience and it’s something which has made us stronger as people, and made me stronger as well, both as a person and as a footballer.
“Now hopefully I can show that on the pitch back here at United.
“The manager here showed his interest and to be honest with you, at this stage in my life it’s a no-brainer.
“My wife has got six weeks left before she gives birth with our second child.
“So to come back was an obvious choice for me. I’ve got my family and friends support network back.
“That will help myself and my wife a lot when the new one arrives.
“Our son, Lucas, turned three in November. He’s young but he does understand that we’re coming back to Scotland.
“He says he’s, ‘going home to his Scotland house’.
“So he’ll be home to see his cousins and be able to play with them more often.
“I kept my house that I live in before which my best mate rents from me.
“But I was lucky enough to be able to buy my family home which I got in November.
“So we’re just looking forward to getting settled in.”
Dixon admitted that he was unsure exactly why he fell out of favour at Huddersfield.
However, one thing he is certain of is that he has returned to Scotland a better player.
Dixon said: “They brought a boy in from QPR on loan just before the manager, Chris Powell, came in.
“So I don’t know what happened really.
“But I never changed, the way that I trained and played when I actually got a chance,
“I can hold my head up high and say that I did my piece and did well.
“I’d like to think that I’ve come back a better player. I’m more experienced from my time down south.
“I enjoyed playing in the Championship which is exactly what I wanted to do.”
Dixon has won three caps for his country and holds the proud record of never having been beaten while playing for Scotland.
He won his last cap in November, 2012 against Luxembourg but has fallen out of international reckoning since.
Dixon is now hoping that a return north will give him a chance of resurrecting his international career.
He added: “As long as I’m a professional player, I want to play for my country.
“I’ve managed to do it three times before.
“I’ll be giving it my all to try and get involved for Scotland.
“If it doesn’t happen at least I can be very proud that I played for my country three times and I’m unbeaten.
“If it happens it happens, but if it doesn’t then so be it.”
Dixon admitted that the carrot of possibly appearing for United in next month’s League Cup Final was another reason for his return.
He is hoping he can play his way into manager Jackie McNamara’s thoughts, especially after suffering the heartache of missing out on the 2010 Scottish Cup triumph because of injury.
Dixon said: “It’s a great time to come back. There’s so much to play for.
“That was a major thing for me coming back, the cup final.
“I am very much looking forward to that, depending on whether or not I get picked!
“Obviously, the last time I was involved in a final with United I was injured unfortunately.
“I played every game apart from the final but didn’t get a medal.
“It was all right watching the game and everything.
“But I think when it really hit me was when I walked back into the changing-room.
“The champagne was going and all the boys were drinking out of the cup.
“And I was just sitting down and watching it.
“I think it hit me then. I knew I wasn’t part of it.
“Obviously I was a part of it as I was in the squad but I didn’t contribute on the day.”