Ryan Shotton has claimed that it was the ambition of Derby County which persuaded him to join the Championship club on loan for the season.
After being made available by Stoke City, Shotton insists that it was an easy decision to make the switch to the Rams as Steve McClaren's side look to go one better in this campaign after failing in the playoff final in May.
"Whatever position I play in I'll be happy, and it's not something we have spoken about yet," the versatile defender told The Sentinel.
"The fact that Derby are going for promotion is a massive factor for me going there. They are very ambitious and were very unlucky in the playoff final last year.
"I don't see it as a step back, just a new direction."
Derby are believed to have the option to make the move permanent in the future.
