Callum Elder is looking forward to testing himself in the Sky Bet Championship after he signed a season-long loan deal at Griffin Park on Friday. The left-back spent time in League Two with Mansfield Town in early 2015 and started last season a division higher with Peterborough United but believes that the time is right to test himself in the second tier.

Speaking to Bees Player on Friday after joining Callum said: “I have been on loan at Mansfield Town and Peterborough United in League Two and League One. I felt that now would be a good time to make that step up and test myself against some big clubs and I am really looking forward to it. Playing in big games, in front of big crowds, is what you want to do on a matchday. There are some huge clubs that have come down from the Premier League. I can’t wait to get stuck into the season and hopefully have a good go with the club. Both Leicester and myself felt that this was the right time to go out and experience Championship football. A season-long loan gives me security in the fact that it gives me time to gel with the lads but it doesn’t give me security in terms of performances. I need to get stuck into training and into the games. The season is only a week away. I am really looking to seeing how the boys play tomorrow so that, by the time the season starts next week, I am ready to go.”

The 21-year-old took part in training on Friday ahead of this afternoon’s pre-season friendly against Millwall at The Den. The Leicester City man said he sought advice from former Bees loanee Liam Moore before he joined, adding that he had been impressed by what he has seen at Jersey Road so far.

“I came down yesterday from Leicester,” said Callum. “I enjoyed training and I am looking forward to the game tomorrow to get started straight away. This is my first involvement on loan at a Championship club and I was intrigued to see what things were like. The training facilities are great and the lads are a good bunch. I am looking forward to working with them and the gaffer. I was with Liam Moore, who was a loanee here, a few days ago. When I heard about the opportunity to come to Brentford he gave me some good advice. He said it was a great set-up here and told me to definitely take it. I love to get forward and I can already tell by training that the gaffer wants to attack teams and I definitely want to be part of that.”

A serious foot injury curtailed Callum’s time at Peterborough United last December but it did mean that the Sydney-born defender was at The King Power Stadium to witness first-hand Leicester’s title winning run-in.

“It was amazing to be around that,” said Callum. “While injuries aren’t great being able to go back to Leicester City and watch them win in the Premier League in the run-in was amazing. People were asking when it was going to stop but it was such an amazing achievement. It was great to go back this season and be involved with them in Austria. Hopefully they have another great season but right now my focus is on Brentford and doing well for the club.”