Michael Hart has completed his move to Preston North End after Aberdeen agreed an undisclosed fee, thought to be about £100,000, for the right-back.
The 27-year-old had already signed a pre-contract agreement to arrive in time for next season.
But he will now move immediately after signing a three-and-a-half year deal.
He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Hopefully I can adapt to life down south quickly. If I don't do it now, I might never do it."
Hart revealed that manager Alan Irvine was a key reason for him joining North End.
"As soon as I met him he said everything I wanted to hear. I came down to watch the Watford game and made my mind up that night and signed a pre-contract."
And Irvine is delighted to get his man.
He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Michael is comfortable as a centre-back, left-back or even in the centre of midfield.
"That always helps with a small squad."
"He is a quick player, comfortable on the ball and can join in attacks"
Hart is currently injured and may have to wait up to a month to make his Preston debut but Irvine is not concerned.
"He actually has an excellent record in terms of playing games. He is a quick player, comfortable on the ball and can join in attacks."
Aberdeen had allowed Hart to undergo medical tests at Deepdale after he suffered a small tear of his hip flexor.
And Preston chairman Derek Shaw said: "We knew he was out of action for about three weeks and we wanted to make sure it wasn't going to be three months."
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