New Sunderland defender Matthew Kilgallon hopes to repeat the success of fellow former Championship players Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka.
Jagielka and Lescott both came to the Premier League at a relatively late age - from Sheffield United and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively.
Both quickly gravitated to the full England squad and after joining Sunderland last month, the 26-year-old Kilgallon is hoping for similar success.
"As a defender I've obviously been encouraged by the likes of Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott," he told The Journal.
"They spent a lot of time in the Championship learning their trades and have done ever so well in the Premier League when they got the move up to that level.
"They've gone on to play for England, and that is fantastic for them.
"That is something I'd like to emulate because I feel as though the time was right for me to go up to the Premier League after my time in the Championship.
"They're really good defenders and have made the leap up, so why can't I? It does give you belief.
"The big difference is the quality of the strikers you are playing against. If you give a player a chance in this league they'll take it. There is far less margin for error. Concentration is massive."
