Dom Dwyer says he feels like he's "coming home" after being traded to Orlando City SC on Tuesday.
The United States international striker was the subject of a blockbuster deal between the two clubs, as he was sent from Sporting Kansas City to Orlando in exchange for a league record $1.6 million in targeted and general allocation money.
The reception he received at the airport was an experience he described as "crazy" as he was swarmed by fans while quickly donning Orlando City purple.
Never forget. #WelcomeHomeDom pic.twitter.com/qiOwjeezCi
- Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) July 26, 2017
"I did not expect that," he said of the greeting. "I heard there was going to be fans there, but something like that, I've never experienced something like that in my life before.
"It was a very cool experience, very humbling, and my heart was very warm afterwards. It was quite amazing."
After returning from Gold Cup duty with the U.S., Dwyer was an unused substitute in SKC's last game. Given that negotiations on a new contract with Kansas City had stalled, it was then that Dwyer knew he would be on the move.
"Now I'm here and ready to join the side," he said. "Hopefully I can add my dimension of playing and something a little bit something different to the side right away and help this team where they've been struggling in certain areas. It's important for us to get back up the table."
Dwyer's roots in Central Florida run deep, having played at the University of South Florida in Tampa, and then enjoying a loan stint with Orlando City when it was playing in what was, at the time, the third-tier USL.
Dwyer, though, did add that he was a little disappointed to be leaving SKC in the middle of what could be a title-winning season.
"Obviously we had a good thing going there [in Kansas City]," he said. "It's tough to leave at that point I did, but if it's to come to Orlando City, then I'm delighted.
"Obviously it's not ideal in the middle of the season. You'd like to have a full season, but now there's a new challenge. I've got an important job to help this team get back up to where it wants to be in playoff contention and title contention."
Toughest of all will be leaving his wife Sydney Leroux Dwyer -- who plays professionally in the NWSL for FC Kansas City -- and their young son Cassius. But Dwyer said his wife gave her blessing on the move.
"She's always been one to tell me to chase my dreams, and it's the same to me for her," he said. "I think we're used to being away from each other, traveling with the national team and all that stuff. Our schedules are normally opposites anyway.
"So it's something that's obviously a work in progress. Their season is over in September/October time, so we'll see how that figures out. It will be a new challenge, just being away from the family and the little guy. But we'll figure things out hopefully quickly. I'm pretty sure purple is her favorite color anyway."
Dwyer said he is eager to get acquainted with his new teammates, including fellow striker Cyle Larin as well as former FIFA World Player of the Year, Kaka.
"Once you start playing with guys, you realize if you click or not," he said. "You realize certain players who are good players, you click right away. I don't think we'll have a problem in doing that.
"This is a striker's dream to have Kaka below you, so that role, he can feed me all the balls he wants and I'll be delighted."