Town newcomer Leon Best is looking forward to rekindling a partnership with colleague David McGoldrick which stretches back 20 years.
With McGoldrick currently sidelined with an ankle injury, recent signing Best will have to wait a few weeks before teaming up with his former team-mate in the Nottinghamshire Schools team.
Best said: "I’ve grown up with him from the age of about eight or nine so I know everything about him. I can’t wait to play with him again. We’ve always kept in touch and we were in Dubai together in the summer.
"He’s from Nottingham, I’m from Nottingham and we always speak. He’s looking forward to us getting together out on the pitch again. We played for Nottinghamshire, the city boys, and at Notts County of course.
"That was a long time ago but we were also together at Southampton, where we lived together in ‘The Lodge’ [Darwin Lodge where Saints’ youth players were housed]. We have some great memories and he’s a great player. When he comes back we’ll be more fierce and powerful.”
Best has found his way to Portman Road via a roundabout route. Four years ago he cost Blackburn £3 million when they signed him from Newcastle and last season he played a leading role in an impressive end-of-season revival that saw Rotherham avoid the drop into League One under boss Neil Warnock.
He added: "There were talks with Rotherham but they didn’t go the right way. I wanted to be ambitious and wait for something like this.
"With the new rule of no emergency loans it means only free agents can be signed after the transfer window shuts and that’s definitely something that can help players who are out of contract and don’t have a club.
"A lot of players in that situation waited for the window to close but as soon as I had my chance to sign here I knew what I wanted to do.
"My next step is to find a place so that I can bring my family down here and be a strong force. I have three boys and one girl, and when you have a family the little things you did when you were younger — going out, travelling around to see your friends — you don’t really do them any more.
"It’s more about being at home with your family and raising your kids. The main thing for me is to get my kids into the stadium with my shirt on to come and watch me play and score goals.
"In the last few seasons my oldest has asked me ‘Dad, what’s your job?’ so it will be good to let him see what I actually do.”
Best, pictured above netting for the Millers at Portman Road last season, isn’t even sure if he has fully realised his potential, stating: "I really don’t know about that. I think my career’s been up and down.
"I’ve played at the highest level, which is a good thing, and I’ve also had spells in international football. I’ve said to the manager that I want to get playing consistently and scoring goals consistently.
"I think that’s the main thing for me and this is the perfect place to do it. The players here are quality and all on the same wavelength. I’ll get better just being here and training with them.”
Best’s positivity comes across loud and clear and in terms of possibly extending his stay beyond the end of the season- his one-year contract has an option for a further season - he added: "The ball’s in my court. It’s just a matter of me doing what I should be able to do and doing it well.
"I think a lot of my confidence is down to Mick McCarthy bringing me in and giving me the belief. I had no club and as a player it makes you think about why you are in that position.
"As soon as I came in he told me he wanted to sign me and I just keep gaining in energy and confidence. I’m a massive believer that thoughts become things.
"I can actually see myself playing well and scoring goals here. I’m enjoying every day in training and it’s been a long time since I felt like that. I’m in a great place.”