Cape Town - New Mpumalanga Black Aces midfield enforcer Mpho Matsi says it was a difficult but necessary step for him to leave his comfort zone at the University of Pretoria where he had been his entire career.
Read: Mtsweni set for new Aces deal
Last week Matsi signed a two-year deal with Aces after spending nine years at the university club.
After playing his youth football at Arcadia Shepherds, Matsi was roped-in at AmaTuks - where he quickly made his mark on the firs team.
Having played alongside household names including: Lerato Chabangu, Andile Jali, Bongani Zungu, Aubrey Ngoma and George Maluleka at AmaTuks - the 25-year-old felt it was time to leave home.
Despite his age, Matsi was among the leaders and more experienced figures in the AmaTuks line-up.
He hopes his move to Aces under the mentorship of new coach Muhshin Ertugral will grow his game and enhance his development.
"It was a tough decision that I took to leave Tuks after so many years playing for the same team," Matsi told Football411.
"I grew as a player while I was there and had learned all that I know there about football. But I felt the need to seek a new adventure and test myself under a different environment.
"I look forward to the challenge of starting afresh and playing alongside new players and a team with a different culture.
"It was time to move on and I think the club understood that. They wanted me to stay but I think the time was right for me to make a jump."