Rodriguez enjoying League One welcome at Wrexham
He has had a welcome to Wrexham from co-owner Ryan Reynolds, but Jay Rodriguez is still getting acquainted with a new experience.
The 35-year-old has played 258 games in the Premier League, scoring 46 top-flight goals and amassing close to £30m in transfer fees.
Then there are the two promotions with his beloved Burnley, part of a story where he made more than 300 appearances for his hometown club.
English football's third tier, though, is a new chapter and unfamiliar territory.
Rodriguez had never played at the level prior to his late January window signing for Wrexham, the deal followed by a video call from one of the club's celebrity owners.
He would not have needed an introduction to Deadpool star Reynolds, nor the story of Wrexham's meteoric rise thanks to a high-profile documentary beamed into the frontrooms of fans both sides of the Atlantic.
"I've followed it from afar," said the forward, who also tasted top-flight life with Southampton and West Brom.
"It's been a great story to watch, and now to be part of it I feel very privileged. To be a part of this group, these players, staff, fans, this area, it's really important.
"Ryan sent me a really nice message, which is just another touch from the club to make myself and my family feel welcome. The story and the journey the club have been on I really want to be a part of."
If Rodriguez has followed things closely, he would not have needed the "Welcome to Wrexham – this is what happens here" story told to him by fellow veteran striker Steven Fletcher when Phil Parkinson's side scored in the final seconds of his debut to win at Crawley. It is a handy habit and strength of belief that has worked wonders for Wrexham in recent years.
Nevertheless, Rodriguez has already picked up on signs of togetherness that he feels could bring success this year.
Signing an 18-month deal, the immediate task is to try and help Wrexham achieve an unprecedented third-straight promotion and propel the club into a division it has not occupied in 43 years.
"It would mean everything (to achieve that)," Rodriguez said. "It's something that would go down in history and something I think the club deserves.
"It's really important and I'm really enjoying being part of it, and that's why I'll continue to work to my full, maximum ability.
"There is nothing bigger than a promotion and the chance of a cup final (Wrexham face Peterborough United in the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy next week); it's what gets you buzzing, gets you ready to get out and keep improving."
Even at 35, Rodriguez has found out that a drop down in division means no drop in intensity – and certainly not expectation.
Although very much in the promotion mix, Wrexham's somewhat surprise home defeat by Leyton Orient on Tuesday left them five points off second-placed Wycombe Wanderers.
"I never take anything for granted, never have done," he said of what he expected in League One.
"I know how tough it is. Even the games we won (against Crawley and Northampton) were extremely tough and there are always fine margins, no matter what the league.
"It's my first time at this level, but it's full of quality. Teams make it difficult for you in different ways but you've seen by the goals we've scored the quality is there. It's a high standard and I'm learning as I'm going. It's something different and I like to keep testing myself because it's a really good feeling when you keep trying to improve."
The next test comes at Mansfield on Sunday, with Parkinson hoping the international experience of Fletcher, captain James MacLean and once-capped Three Lion Rodriguez is a welcome advantage Wrexham have over rivals.
"I've got every confidence in the group, and we have players and staff who want to keep improving. There's definitely a togetherness and we have a lot to play for. I'm very optimistic," Rodriguez added.
