Ryan Sewell wants to win silverware at Huntly after completing a transfer from Highland League rivals Lossiemouth
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HUNTLY new boy Ryan Sewell said leaving Lossiemouth was a tough decision but is relishing a fresh challenge at Christie Park.
The 23-year-old midfielder penned a three-year deal at Huntly last week and could make his debut against Fort William this weekend.
Sewell sees future opportunities to win silverware with his new club, particularly with an Aberdeenshire Shield final on the horizon for the Black and the Golds.
He came through the youth ranks at Lossie to break into their first team as a teenager, going on to win player of the year awards for his performances.
Those displays caught the eye of Huntly manager Allan Hale, who made his move when he was able to speak to the player in the final six months of his Lossiemouth contract.
Watch Sewell score a Scottish Cup goal for Lossiemouth last season.
Initially agreeing a pre-contract deal with Sewell to bring him in at the end of the season, Hale then agreed a fee with Lossie to transfer the player now.
Sewell joins former Lossiemouth team-mate Brodie Allen, who made a similar switch to Huntly last month and has already made his debut for the club.
"It was a really hard decision to make but I had to weigh up what was best for me and my career," Sewell said.
"I’m grateful for the opportunity Lossie gave me but I thought it was time for another challenge.
"Huntly really impressed me. I had six months left of my contract so I got a call from the manager and it was a really good conversation and I wanted to go and see them in person.
"They had a presentation put on for me and I met the chairman and they were really good to deal with.
"They told me where they see the club going forward and they see me as being part of that, and they seem to play the way I want to play football as well, attacking football.
"They’ve got a really good squad of players and it will be a good team to be around, so I can’t wait to get started."
Sewell will come into Huntly's squad for Saturday's league match against Fort William, and he already has marked the February 16 date in his calendar.
For his new club takes on Banks o' Dee in the Shire Shield final at Inverurie that night and he hopes to be part of the squad aiming to lift the silverware.
"It was another reason why I wanted to come to Huntly to try and get a chance to play in a cup final, to get that experience.
"I nearly got to a final with Lossie when we lost out to Brora on penalties in the semi-finals.
"But I hope I’m involved in some way with Huntly in the Shield and we will be trying to get into more finals in the future.
"I will definitely have to fight for a place in the team at Huntly and that should bring the best out of me. It means I can challenge myself at every training session and game."
Sewell will travel with fellow Elgin-based Huntly players Allen and Euan Storrier to training sessions in Cove and Kemnay each week.
"It helps knowing Brodie (Allen) and Euan, and we share a lift through for training so it’s handy. We made the trip through on Monday to Cove and it wasn't too bad, it helps having the boys to speak to all the way through.
"I'll still keep in touch with the boys at Lossie and I'll always be looking out for their result.
"We don't have to play them until next season but I’m sure I can expect a few challenges in that game!"
As well as signing Sewell and Allen from Lossiemouth, Huntly have also brought in former Inverurie Locos striker Andy Hunter and ex-Fort William winger Robbie Foster in recent weeks.
