SWINDON Wildcats’ latest addition Sam Zajac admits he can’t wait to get his teeth into a new challenge when he arrives at the Link Centre.

Following three successful seasons with Telford Tigers, the 27-year-old D-man thinks the change has come at the right time for him to start something new.

“I was working in Sheffield and Aaron (Nell, head coach) was there for a kids hockey tournament. I told him I was looking for a new team and we went for a coffee,” said Zajac.

“We kind of sounded each other out and that is where it all started from.

“I can’t wait, I’ve had three good years in Telford but maybe it was time for both parties to move on a little.

“I’m wishing the summer away now, there are a lot of teams who I haven’t played before so it will be good.”

Nell had heaped the weight of expectation on Zajac before his arrival by saying he would be a ‘marquee signing’, following the departure of Stevie Lyle.

But the 27-year-old doesn’t think there is much pressure on his shoulders, as he looks to win over a new set of fans.

“I’m always going to bring my A game and be working hard. Hopefully I can bring a bit of offence from the back too,” said Zajac, who will link up with former teammates Max Birbraer and Phil Hill next season.

“I’ll try to be an all round player who turns up to every game, so that is what people can expect from me next season.

“I’ve been in Telford for the last three years and we have had some really good battles with Swindon, we edged them out a couple of times.

“They play a really offensive game so we had a lot of games where we took a lot of loses so we always respected Swindon and how dangerous they are.

“Aaron made it clear he wanted to adjust the balance of the squad a little, obviously they are very good offensively down in Swindon. I think it was important to come up with more balance.

“He wants me to come in and play a lot of minutes and be a leader at the back with a few of the younger guys there.”