CONNOR Wood is ready to embrace the new era he has signed up for at Valley Parade.

The 22-year-old Leicester left back was the first capture to be unveiled by City since Michael Collins was named head coach.

And the attacking defender, who penned a three-year deal like the coaching staff, admits the change in approach at his new club was part of the appeal in joining up.

Wood said: “I’ve been told a bit about what the plan is from the coaching staff and it seems really positive.

“It is a different outlook on the ways of running a club compared to other teams. But it’s an exciting one and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it plays out.

“You don’t really know what you are going to get but at the same time it is appealing to me. It could potentially make me develop so much in the time that I’m here.”

Wood is one of six new faces in the senior ranks this summer and feels it is the right time to take the next step after two years playing for Leicester's under-23s.

“It’s a massive opportunity, especially at a club like this,” he added. “The trust they are putting in young players is fantastic and it’s giving us opportunities to show what we can do and prove we don’t need masses of experience.

“It’s a completely different ball game compared to under-23s football. But I feel I’m ready and hopefully I hit the ground running.

“It’s definitely the right time to move forward and progress with my career. I had two good seasons for the under-23s but now I’m looking at first team football.

“I want to be playing in front of big crowds, playing against men and in competitive games.”

Wood joined Leicester from the Nike Academy after previously spending a year at Chesham United, moving on just before the non-league side were beaten 4-0 by City in an FA Cup tie at Valley Parade.

He said: “That was the season after I left. But I remember watching that game and they did all right.

“Every now and then they seemed to have a decent little cup run.

“Chesham was good for me that year. It toughened me up by playing with and against proper men.

“There were some ex-pros like Darren Purse, the centre back, who had a massive career behind him. I learned so much from the season I was there and that definitely helped.”

Now he is hungry to step up his career under rookie head coach Michael Collins.

“I feel we can bounce off each other,” said Wood. “I definitely see myself learning a whole lot from him.

“It seems like he knows what he’s talking about and in terms of my personal development, it’s fantastic for me.”