Anton Ferdinand admits he's loving the atmosphere at Sunderland.
"That's the reason I came here - to work under a great manager and at a massive club," Ferdinand told Sky Sports News.
"I'm enjoying every minute of it. I thought it was time for me to leave London and spread my wings, grow up a bit, and I feel I am starting to do that."
Ferdinand does, however, accept that the substantial outlay taken on by the club in order to take him to the Stadium of Light has placed added pressure on his shoulders.
"I have always had the pressure of being a player that came through the ranks, but now someone has bought me and I have to come up with the goods," he added.
"I'm not the little boy who came through the ranks, I'm somebody who has been bought to help the club go forward - and that's a pressure I like."