USA international Edson Buddle says he is finally settling into life with his new club FC Ingolstadt.
The 30-year old joined the German 2.Bundesliga outfit in January this year and appeared 14 times, scoring three goals for Die Schanzer as they avoided relegation.
The former LA Galaxy star has rated the standard close to that of North America's top flight whilst admitting that things are now starting to feel comfortable in Bavaria.
"I feel like the games are very similar to MLS. The difference is training. We train for almost two hours a day, and it's pretty high energy the whole time," he told ussoccer.com.
"Going into next year's preseason I'll be aware of that and make sure I'm physically prepared.
"It's been a little difficult getting settled off the field: figuring out the shortest routes driving, learning how to read labels at the supermarket, and getting all my stuff out of suitcases, that sort of thing. This week I'm finally finishing!"
And Buddle said that despite all the off-field acclimatization, it has been refreshing to be able to play with a similar style on the pitch.
"I was told coming in not to change things up. I didn't want to get here and all of a sudden change my game," he added.
"Here these guys play out of tight spaces better than where I was back home, especially in training, so I'm more conscious about being tactically aware both offensively and defensively. That makes you a little bit sharper.
"Sometimes when you are in one place for a long time, things can get repetitive and it's easy to fall into a comfort zone. Being here is something new, and you have to be alert every day."
