PAUL RACHUBKA has been a registered Town player for only six days, but already he feels very much at home.
The 23-year-old signed a two-and-a-half year deal on Monday after securing a free transfer from Premiership club Charlton Athletic and has no doubts it's the right move.
Rachubka, of course, enjoyed a successful loan spell with Peter Jackson's squad last season and was happy to come back with a view to a permanent move after spending time at both MK Dons and Northampton this season.
Rachubka is now keen to settle and to concentrate on playing the extra games which he's been denied while in the back-up ranks at both Manchester United and The Valley.
"I think my game will improve massively from playing regular first-team football," explained the Californian-born player, who grew up in Stockport and is looking to move house to that area.
"During my loan spell here last season I think there was a continued improvement and I want to keep going forward in my career.
"I didn't want to stagnate and, if I'd stayed at Charlton, I'm sure I would have stagnated.
"Dean Kiely has been in good form and I could have stayed there to compete for the No2 slot, but I didn't feel that was for me at this stage.
"You don't really feel a part of things unless you are playing matches, unless you are out there on the pitch and in the middle of that huddle saying `come on lads, let's get a win' - and I do feel that here.
"Right through from last season there has been a great atmosphere in the dressing room and the attitude here is exactly right."
Dedication will not be a problem for Rachubka.
After signing on Monday and taking part in his first full session as a bonafide Town player, he was still working in the gymnasium when colleagues were on their way home and members of the press arrived for interviews.
It was the start of his preparation for the match at Swindon - no-one on the books has more focus for each game - and having helped Town pick up three points for the first time since his return to the Galpharm, Rachubka has no doubt an improved run is just around the corner to carry Peter Jackson's side back to the play-off placings.
"Having spent most of our spell without a game trying to get my contract sorted out, it felt good to be concentrating on football again," he said.
"This move is a chance to progress in my career by playing regularly, and I want to get as many games as possible.
"Town and the manager have given me that opportunity and I not only want to compete for the No1 spot, I want to keep my place.
"As I said earlier in the week, I want to prove myself over a whole season and I quickly want to play Championship football.
"I want to play regularly and consistently at the next level and I firmly believe I can do that at this club.
"What happened last season was fantastic and I'm sure we will go up again during the span of my new contract (which runs to the summer of 2007, like many in the squad).
"That is definitely my goal and I know it's the club's as well."
Rachubka has already made moves to sell his house in London and return closer to home in the north.
"The housing market isn't the best at the moment, but I'm looking to move back to this area," he explained.
"My family and my fiancee have been very supportive - they've backed me all the way through and it's a great credit to them - and I've had lots of encouragement both from this club and from Charlton.
"It feels as though it's the right time for me to move on and to play matches and this is the ideal opportunity.
"The facilities and the set-up are first class and the fans have been tremendous to me.
"To get 10,500 of our own people here every home game is brilliant - many clubs in the Championship don't get that - and it shows the feeling there is for the club to do well.
"I had an opportunity here last year which I took and which worked out well, and the time and the place feel just right now for a permanent move and to progress as a player.
"Hopefully I can grow as a keeper as the club grows and show in my performances that I'm well worth a regular place."
