AFC Bournemouth
Transfer deadline day was one like no other for AFC Bournemouth new boy, Ryan Christie.
Not only was he travelling to Denmark for a crucial World Cup Qualifier with Scotland, but he also ended the day with a different club to return to after the break.
He became the Cherries’ seventh summer signing as the window drew to a close that evening and met up with his new teammates just two days before coming off the bench against Barnsley.
Despite the quick turnaround, the 26-year-old was full of praise for the club and expressed his delight at signing on The Jim White Show last Wednesday.
“I’ve loved it so far and everybody has been really helpful,” began Christie.
“The first few days were kind of hectic, having been away with Scotland and then trying to pack everything up to get down here.
“The past week, I’ve started to feel a bit more settled in the hotel and it’s been really enjoyable so far. I just get that feeling that it’s a great club to be at and I can’t wait to kick-on.
“As soon as I started speaking to the manager when this club was an option, he was talking about where he wants it to go.
“Obviously, he’s got a side promoted before and that’s a huge help for us. It’s a big experience that he’ll pass down to us moving forward this season and everyone in that changing room has a drive. I’ve only been here a few days and I’ve realised that.
“It’s a very humble club and I think that suits me down to the ground, but it adds more emphasis to try and get the club back to where we want to be.”
Christie made his full Cherries debut during Tuesday evening’s 2-1 win over QPR, having made his maiden appearance in red and black three days earlier against the Tykes.
While the Scotland international is enjoying life on the south coast so far, he admitted he was pleased to get the transfer over the line after a busy final day of the window.
“I think with three or four days to go in the transfer window, things get hyped up and it becomes a bit more stressful.
“Everyone says that it’s exciting to be a part of deadline day, but when you’re involved in it, it’s just complete stress!
“There were a few clubs sniffing about and asking the question, but as soon as I spoke to the manager here and the powers above, everyone was so supportive of me and I just got the feeling that it was right.
“Now I’m here, I’m absolutely loving it.”
The midfielder went on to discuss the reasoning behind his move to Dorset, having played north of the border for the duration of his career.
Ahead of tomorrow's trip to Cardiff, he admitted that the opportunity of a new challenge in the Championship appealed.
“For me, it was time for a change,” he continued.
“I’d been in Scotland ever since I started playing. I won my trophies and got my medals with Celtic and I just wanted to try something a little bit different.
“Ever since a young age, I’ve wanted to try it down in England. I’ve seen international teammates do the same and do so well and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.
“For me, it was time to come down and challenge myself. I thought that staying at Celtic was the easy option, but I wanted to come down here and shake things up. I want to give it a right go.
“When I came down, everyone was so nice and the way that training has been gives me the feeling that I made the right decision.”
