New recruit Chris Forino is quickly adapting to life with the Whites after swapping his Wanderers’ allegiance, writes Pete Oliver.
Forino became the Whites’ first summer signing after ending a three-year stay at Wycombe to move to the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
The powerful defender linked up with his new team-mates on their return for pre-season and has been making himself at home as part of the Wanderers' squad on their training trip to Portugal.
“It's been really good,” Forino told Wanderers TV after getting the first few days of work under his belt.
“I've enjoyed it and I've settled in quite quickly. Obviously, the environment we're in right now has probably helped smooth out that transition. It's been hard tough graft out here but I'm enjoying the process.
“Being out here you can spend so much more time with the boys. It's tough. The standards here are driven to a high level and we are expected to meet them.
“It's a good challenge. I am here to push myself and here to get better and I feel like thus far I'm doing that.”
Forino is something of a late bloomer after early set-backs at Brentford and Colchester United had him contemplating an alternative career.
But after studying at Loughborough University, a phone call out of the blue from Wycombe revived his fortunes.
Impressing in a trial game towards the end of the 2020/21 season, the central defender earned a contract and went on to play almost 100 games for the Chairboys.
His commanding form in League One prompted Wanderers to make their move at the end of his last contract at Adams Park and the 24-year-old is now looking forward to making his mark on a bigger stage under Ian Evatt and helping the Whites challenge again this term.
“I'm really excited for this season and excited to play in front of a massive fan base and passionate fan base,” Forino added. “It means more I feel when you pull on a jersey and there are 25,000 people rooting for you.
“I feel for me to grow and learn it's about time I played with that. Expectation is no bad thing. It's an honour as well, the expectation to win and do well.
“Everyone up and down the country involved in football is waiting for that moment (the start of the season) but you've got to do the hard bit first.
“I understand there might be lots of question marks - I'm not the biggest name in the league. But I'm excited to get out there and show them what I'm about. I'm here to add to the team - not only just to learn - to make the team better and I plan on doing that.”
Watch a full interview with Chris later on Wanderers TV, along with all the training-ground activity out in Portugal.