The first man through the door this summer spoke of his delight at returning to the Sky Blues and making his move permanent.
Ben Sheaf joined City on a three-year-deal, after spending the previous season on loan at the Sky Blue Lodge, making 32 appearances.
The 23-year-old made a big contribution in City’s first season back in the Championship and now he can’t wait to get going ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
“I’m delighted.” Sheaf said.
“I really enjoyed my time here last season and I’m really happy to be back and it’s been nice to get day one of pre-season done and now I’m just looking forward to starting the season.
“Last year was my first year the Championship and I played a good number of games. Obviously, it broke down towards the end of the season with injuries, but it was nice to back for the last game of the season and get that taste back, but overall, I really enjoyed the season and I got some good minutes and I hope to build on that next season.”
Having previously spent spells out on loan with Stevenage in League Two and Doncaster Rovers in League One, Sheaf’s loan-spell last year was, as he said, a first in the Championship.
Reflecting on his minutes on the pitch, Sheaf believes he developed as a player and learnt a lot about his game.
“It’s a lot different to League One, but I feel I can take a lot from last year and look to build and be better and stronger this year.
“You learn a lot physically, mentally, tactically, even technically so all areas of the game and I feel like I was challenged and because of that I got better and developed and that’s how you want it to be every year and I’m looking to do the same this year.”
Unfortunately for Ben, last year his season was cut short after suffering a hip injury which would see him ruled out for the last two months of the campaign.
However, the midfielder was able to make a comeback in the last game of the season against Millwall and now he told how he is feeling fit and ready to go this year.
“I’m feeling good. It’s been nice to have the summer break as it allowed me to recharge and strengthen and I feel like I’m in good shape.
“It was a hip-flex tear which tends to be a six-to-eight-week injury, but I was able to recover quite quickly so I was able to get back for the last game of the season, which was good for me.”
Now Sheaf can prepare with his teammates for pre-season and look forward to playing in front of the Sky Blue Army for the first time.
“It will be really good to get them back. When I first came all the lads said the fans are brilliant and I remember playing against Coventry and they were really loud so to have them behind us this year will be fantastic.
“I can’t wait for the first game playing with them against Forest a team which we need to get a bit of payback on because they beat us twice last year despite us playing really well then we were stung towards the end of the game so I’m looking for a bit of redemption there.”