New Rotherham United goalkeeper Cameron Dawson says easy life at Sheffield Wednesday did not appeal

The 28-year-old goalkeeper was offered a new contract by his boyhood club Sheffield Wednesday after spending the last two seasons flitting in and out of first-choice status between the posts.

But even before manager Danny Rohl signed Ben Hamer, it was clear to Dawson which way the wind was blowing and that it was time to cut the apron strings.

When the chance came to move just up the road to a club whose ambition has been writ large all over this transfer window, Dawson knew he had to give it a go.

Joining a local rival, one whose antipathy towards the Owls is well known, and whose flurry of transfer activity will place big expectations of a League One promotion party next May will not be easy.

"I always hoped something like this would happen," admits Dawson after becoming the Millers' 10th signing of the summer.

"It's the first time I've been out of contract so I didn't really know what to expect. I got my holidays in early so I was ready when the phone rang.

"There's been interest throughout the summer but Rotherham developed really late. I spoke to the manager (Steve Evans) on Friday, met him over the weekend and got it done on Monday.

"As soon as I had that conversation, there was nowhere else I wanted to be."

Dawson was very clear he was doing the right thing turning his back on Hillsborough.

"Of course it was a difficult decision, I'd been there a long time, but I was convinced it was the right time and I believe that with the right club and the right people alongside me I can get back to being a Championship goalkeeper, I really do believe that.

"For me it was about finding the right club for me, which I think I've got at Rotherham.

"(Not taking the safe option) is a conversation I have with myself regularly. It would have been really easy for me to stay at Sheffield Wednesday and take that road.

"It would have been really comfortable around a lot of people I've known for a lot of years. But I think people that know me know that's not really in my make-up.

"I'm someone that wants to push myself and wants to do it in the right day and really be that man that walks out on the pitch and really puts in committed performances.

"That was a big driving force behind me stepping away from Sheffield Wednesday."

Dawson posted a message to his old club and fellow fans on social media on Monday, when the transfer was announced. It was important to him he left in the right way.

"That's a big thing for me," he says. "I didn't want to try and win any cheap support at Rotherham by a parting shot at Sheffield Wednesday. I don't feel I need to do that.

"I'll try and win support at Rotherham though my performances on the pitch and that's who I am.

"Everything I said was completely true. I'm incredibly grateful to Sheffield Wednesday but I am also convinced it's the right time to move on. I'm really thankful it's Rotherham."