Adam King admits his brother Billy played a big part in convincing him that joining Dundee United after five years at Swansea City was exactly the right move for him at this stage of his career.
The midfielder was signed by the Tangerines last week after impressing boss Robbie Neilson on trial in pre-season.
The 23-year-old knows the manager well having worked under him when he was a coach at Hearts.
King left the Jambos in 2014 for the Welsh club but failed to make the breakthrough into the Swansea first team.
He spent time on loan at Crewe Alexandra, Southend United, Mansfield Town and Peterborough United but King insists he has no regrets about his time at the Liberty Stadium.
However, he is now ready to stake a claim for a regular first-team place at a club which received a ringing endorsement from his sibling who enjoyed two years at United before leaving in January to join Gillingham.
King said: “I was really excited to get the opportunity to come in with the gaffer who I have worked with previously.
“That was a massive factor for me as I know how he works and I feel that should push me on this season.
“My brother has worked with him as well. I phoned him once the opportunity came up and he talked really positively about it.
“He said it would be a great move and I should grab it with both hands.
“Once I did come up, saw the place, spoke to the gaffer and the boys, it was an easy decision for me.”
King added: “I worked with the gaffer at Hearts for about six months before I went down to Swansea.
“So I already know the way he works and the intensity he trains at.
“I know this season is a massive one for Dundee United and the way we are training in pre-season, we will be working harder than most teams in the league.
“With the strength we have in the squad, the main priority is going up.
“The goal is clear for everyone – promotion.
“Whether that is going up through the play-offs or straight up, that is the priority.”
King was only 18 when he left home for the first time to move to Swansea and he admitted it was a big learning curve for him.
He said: “I enjoyed it. I first went down for the Under-21s and trained under a few good managers.
“I was then quite adamant that I wanted to go out on loan and play first-team games because I hadn’t really done that at Hearts.
“But I enjoyed my time down there and it was a really good learning experience.
“I have come back a better player – 100%.
“I have probably matured from different experiences under some top-level managers.
“Mixing that with going out on loan and playing in League 1 and League 2, it was a really good experience for me the whole time I was down there.
“At first, Garry Monk was a massive influence. I moved down just when he was getting the Swansea manager’s job and he was always very helpful, especially for me who was new to the club.
“He was encouraging to all the young boys, always with an arm around the shoulder if required.
“There were a few boys who went down there at around the same time, like Stephen Kingsley and Jay Fulton who joined from Falkirk.
“So I never felt homesick. I just enjoyed learning and it was a great opportunity.”
While obviously frustrated that he could not make the big breakthough, King still has many fond memories of his time with Swansea.
He said: “The fact I didn’t really get a chance, I suppose that’s football for you but I still have no regrets looking back.
“To be fair, I had a few first-team experiences on the bench at places like the Stadium of Light and St James’ Park which were amazing at the age of just 18 or 19.
“Now I’ve come to a great club like Dundee United and hopefully I’ll get them back up this season. “My main goal personally this season is to be playing regularly and to do consistently well.
“That is massive for me at this stage in my career. Coming back up from down south I want the club to be promoted and for me to do well.”
Before the Championship action begins in earnest, King is also determined to do well in the Betfred Cup, starting tonight at Stenhousemuir.
He said: “We need to get a good few results under our belt before the start of the league season.
“It is massive for us.”
