James Milner has said that adjusting to life with Albion was made easier by his teammates, his age and, most importantly, the weather!
The midfielder – who extended his stay with us for another season in May – was speaking on the Official Brighton & Hove Albion Podcast as he reflected on his move to Sussex after eight hugely successful seasons at Liverpool.
“I think changing club is always difficult,” the 38-year-old said. “Brighton is a lot further south than I'm used to so that's obviously one thing. The furthest south before this was Birmingham [with Aston Villa].
“One of the biggest difficulties when you leave a club is that you have been around the people [at Liverpool] for so long and you miss that. So to feel as comfortable as I have, as quickly, has been great. I think it’s helped that I'm a bit older and I've done it a few times.
“Maybe you don't feel as conscious about yourself, but the people there have been great. Brighton is a lovely part of the world and I have managed to play a bit of golf and go for a few walks with the family.
“The weather is definitely better and warmer. There's a few times where you felt like you're in Spain so I am enjoying it for sure. And it's probably harder for other people to understand my accent, to be honest, rather than the other way around!"
Milner says he felt part of the dressing-room environment straight away.
“The lads have been amazing in terms of making me feel at home which is a great sign of a great dressing room," he added.
“I was injured when I arrived and watched training from the outside to make sure I understood how we played, but also how the personality of the lads are on the training field and how I could help help them."
You can listen to James’s full guest appearance on the Official Brighton & Hove Albion Podcast here.