Manny Onariase talks to www.themillers.co.uk...
New signing Manny Onariase described his move to Rotherham United as 'massive opportunity' after sealing a deal to join the Millers.
Manager Paul Warne swooped for the 20-year-old defender after a week training with the club, with the youngster signing a two-year deal after the Millers agreed an undisclosed fee with Brentford.
The former West Ham United youngster made great strides last season after playing 24 times in all competitions for Cheltenham Town, and impressed Warne sufficiently to earn a permanent switch to the AESSEAL New York Stadium.
"It is great to be back and I am really pleased that everything is sorted," Onariase told www.themillers.co.uk after passing his medical this afternoon.
"I am now really looking forward to the challenge and I can't wait to get started. It is a massive opportunity and it is up to me to take it with both hands. Speaking to manager has been very positive and I am really looking forward to it.
"The training ground looks great, the pitches are excellent and all the lads have been great. The environment has been really welcoming, I've got along with everyone since I joined here, so I can't wait to get going."
The Millers beat the upcoming transfer deadline to add the London-born defender, whilst Warne also added to his goalkeeping department yesterday after sealing a loan deal for Fulham stopper Marek Rodak.
Onariase understands that breaking into the side won't be easy with good competition from the likes of Semi Ajayi, Michael Ihiekwe, Richard Wood and Dominic Ball already at the club.
The challenge has been set to keep improving, with the defender stating that his new boss has already been a key influence as he looks to make the step up.
"The manager told me I had the attributes that he looks for in a player, so that was good to hear," he continued.
"When I've been training he has worked with me every day on extra sessions, always giving me his time so I even though I was only here for a week previously, I felt like I was always learning. I have worked on so much in a short space of time.
"In my career so far I have always looked to learn from the players around me. Having good competition at a club, that is how you get to the next level. The most important thing for me is having people around you to learn from. I want to get better, feed off the advice I am getting and that's what I'll be doing."