Central defender George Taft says manager Adam Murray was a vital part of his decision to join the Stags.
The former Burton Albion man put pen-to-paper on a deal at One Call Stadium earlier today after manager Murray swooped to bring him to the club following his release from the Pirelli Stadium.
And Taft, who won promotion from League 2 with the Brewers two season ago, says the managerâs vision was a key element in his decision to sign.
âItâs obviously a big stadium, I like the look of everything and everything thatâs going on at the minute, the work thatâs getting put in, itâs looking good,â Taft said.
âThe mindset and the belief in what the gafferâs shown in what he reckons the season can hold [was a big reason in my decision to sign].
âI know a few of the lads down here and theyâve said how good the set up and stuff [is], so itâs drawn my attention to the club.â
Prior to signing with Adam Murrayâs men, the 22-year-old spoke with friend and former team-mate Adi Yussuf who âtwisted his armâ to join the Stags.
âWe played together for a couple of years and Iâm good mates with him anyway. Heâs just said about last season; I saw a few games last season and obviously looked at the results [and] they did well and he wants to push on from there, the gaffer and the chairman, everyone [wants to push on], and Adiâs given me that confidence in the team.
â[He] was the first person I spoke to. I asked him the logistics, training, facilities, what the gafferâs like, the lads and heâs given me a positive outlook.â
After seeing Leicester and Burton enjoy incredible success last season, Taft says the triumphs of his two former clubs spurs him on to create more memorable moments of his own.Â
âWatching Burton winning and getting promotion and being around that team, thatâs really spurred me on. Iâm a Leicester fan so watching that, everything just makes you believe and think that anything can happen so I just want to get on the pitch now,â Taft said.
âIt was a good experience, obviously going up as champions was good and obviously I want to feel that again and this could be the club to do it, hopefully.â
The 6ft 5in defender suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury whilst on loan at Cambridge United last season and is now looking forward to âmaking up for lost timeâ.
âI was out on loan at Cambridge and ruptured my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament); it obviously happens and Iâve just got to bounce back and now Iâm just looking to work hard, get my fitness there and get my games back.
âWith an injury like this, you kind of spend more time on your body and you know more about yourself so it can only benefit me.â
Supporters can watch Taftâs full interview on Stags Player HD.