Reiss Russell-Denny is settling into life at Bristol Rovers and is pushing for his first start in the blue-and-white quarters ahead of the Gas' trip to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.
Despite only being 20 years old, the midfielder has already trained alongside world-class talent, brushing shoulders with Thiago Silva and Cole Palmer at Chelsea before moving to Tottenham Hotspur, highlighting Sandro Tonali as one of the best he has played with.
After going away with Spurs' first team to Sydney in pre-season, Russell-Denny is now enjoying the first loan move of his career and assessed his options before choosing the Pirates.
Russell-Denny is closing in on two months at the Gas and is getting used to a new dressing room.
"I'm settling in really well," he said. "The boys have been really welcoming - the staff, the fans, everyone. It's just a really nice place to come to work every day and crack on.
"The plan was always for me to go on loan, and it was just about assessing my options, and I felt like Bristol Rovers was the best one.
"All of the lads have been amazing, to be honest. I have built some really good connections. Ellis has been like an older brother to me, and it's been really nice to have. Watching them and being around them every day, you're bound to pick up something. You've just got to be a sponge."
One player Russell-Denny chatted to before switching to the Gas was Yusuf Akhamrich, who quickly became a fan favourite during his loan spell from Spurs in the second half of last term, scoring six goals and assisting two in 19 Sky Bet League Two outings.
The pair played together for Tottenham U21s and said he had an eye on Akhamrich during his time at the Pirates.
"Yusuf and I have a good relationship, and I was always following his progress whilst he was here," said the midfielder. "It was definitely a big factor."
Russell-Denny has played six times for the Pirates in the fourth tier and assisted Fabrizio Cavegn's second goal against Newport County in the Gas' emphatic 5-3 victory.
Coming off the bench in the last four matches, he is still waiting for his first start and wants as many minutes on the pitch as possible, but believes it will come when the time is right.
"Of course, I want to be playing and be on the pitch as much as possible," he said. "When the time is right for that to happen, it'll happen."
Russell-Denny wants to be part of a winning team this season, but is not feeling any pressure. Progressing through the ranks at Chelsea and Spurs, the midfielder has always been part of teams expected to win.
"The goal is to get this team into League One and get promotion," he said. "That is the main focus. Individually, I have my own targets, but for the team, it's to get promoted.
"I have always been in teams that are expected to win. Coming here with a team that's expected to win and get promoted is nothing really new to me."
Rovers made history last weekend, claiming an 11th straight home league victory with a 1-0 triumph over Exeter City at The Memorial Stadium. However, the Pirates will have to be at their best to get something against an unbeaten Crewe side.
The Gas have lost their previous two matches on the road, but Russell-Denny insisted the players are excited about the upcoming challenge.
"It's going to be a big test for the lads. We're just excited to get the game going."
