Derby County manager Nigel Clough has finally completed the £1m signing of Blackpool centre-back Shaun Barker.
Nottingham Forest were also keen to sign the long-time Rams target and spoke to the 26-year-old.
But Barker, who has signed a three-deal at Pride Park, told BBC Radio Derby: "I took a bit of time and to be honest I thought Derby wanted me more.
"I spoke to Nigel and everything I want as a footballer he was telling me this club wants to do."
Chairman of football Adam Pearson added: "It's important for us, it's a statement that this club is ambitious and that we are trying to bring in players that will take us forward.
"Nottingham Forest were not the only club in for him so it's important we've got him as much as anything else."
Barker said he was excited to be joining a club with such a big support and proud history.
"This has the potential to be a massive club. There is nothing bigger in the Championship," he told East Midlands Today.
"This is a club that should be challenging this season. It obviously didn't happen last season but if we have a good start this season we can go as far as we want to.
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