Brentford new boy Sam Saunders has revealed the opportunity to work with Andy Scott and the chance to play at a higher level was behind his decision to quit Dagenham & Redbridge.
The 25-year-old winger and fellow ex-Daggers Ben Strevens and Danny Foster are set to cross London on a free transfer to play in League One at Griffin Park next season.
The Bees open their campaign at Carlisle United on August 8 - before hosting Bristol City in the Carling Cup - and will welcome former Premier League sides Leeds United, Norwich City, Southampton and Charlton Athletic to west London next year.
And former Carshalton Athletic and Welling United man Saunders reckons the time was right to call time on his spell at Victoria Road.
“I’m getting to the stage of my career where I want to play at a higher level,” he said.
“Brentford will be playing the likes of Charlton Athletic, Southampton and Norwich City next season, whereas Dagenham will be playing Macclesfield Town and Chesterfield.
“I met Andy and he seemed really keen to sign me. He’s really hungry and a young manager who is going to go places. I was delighted.
“There is a touch of sadness leaving Dagenham, but also a touch of excitement joining Brentford.”
Saunders, Strevens and Foster caught the eye in Dagenham’s 3-1 victory over Brentford in April, after the original clash in March was postponed due to a power failure.
And he reckons the move is not just a step-up in terms of the league but also in class.
“I’ll certainly be looking for Dagenham’s result first after Brentford's next season. Everyone from the tea lady to the kitman to the fans and the other boys were brilliant,” he added.
“We used to joke with the fans that we were a pub team from Essex and I will miss that, but Brentford is a big club.”
And Saunders, who is targeting at least seven goals for his new club next season, reckons it won’t take long for the trio to adapt to Scott’s style of play.
“John Still always gave us license to play in the final third and that will be the same at Brentford,” he said.
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