Paul Doran-Jones is relishing the opportunity to prove himself again at Kingsholm after enduring a nightmare 18 months of injury.
The six-cap England prop left Gloucester in 2011 but has seen his career stall since making the move, first to Northampton Saints and then Harlequins.
He admits he failed to settle at Franklin's Gardens, where Brian Mujati made the number three jersey his own, and he has been ravaged by injuries since switching to the Stoop in 2013.
But the 29-year-old, who will join the Cherry and Whites to compete with John Afoa, reckons he can put his career back on track at his former stomping ground.
He said: "I have to prove myself again but you have to do that wherever you go and during every single week.
"I am a more rounded player now, I can take a lot from my experiences at Northampton and Harlequins – two very different rugby schools.
"When I left I had a fantastic offer from Northampton who were and have since gone on to be one of the biggest clubs in the UK and Europe. They had a good forward park, were coached very well and like Gloucester the rugby club is at the heart of the town – I identified with that.
"With my England ambitions I felt it was a good option but for one reason or another it didn't work out.
"I enjoyed my time there and it was a great team but I struggled living there, I tried commuting from London but that scuppered me and I didn't play as well as I could.
"Then at Harlequins I slipped a disc in my neck in the second game of last season and when I came back I wasn't really right.
"I stayed home over the summer and got in the best shape I have been in. But the next year I was knocked out in the last game of pre-season and I then tore my calf during an A-league match.
"I have had a bit of nightmare which has kept me out all year. It coincided with the emergence of the two young lads (Will Collier and Kyle Sinckler) and they have done really well so it's been a tough couple of years.
"I had never had a long term injury before, I had the usual knocks and bumps but nothing serious. It's tough and makes you realise how fragile you are and how quickly rugby can be taken from you.
"One minute I was touring Argentina with England and next I am out for a year and a half. But I'm just looking forward to getting back to playing rugby now."
Doran-Jones is still recovering from the calf injury but hopes to return in six to eight weeks to finish his frustrating spell at Harlequins on as much of a high as possible.
He still harbours ambitions of playing for England and is confident a return to Gloucester will give him the perfect platform.
And working with Gloucester scrum coach Trevor Woodman might just be the key to success.
He said: "First and foremost I want to get back fit for Harlequins and achieve as much as I can. I don't want to neglect what they have done for me.
"It's a great place, an amazing environment and has been a great experience. In terms of rugby it hasn't been the most positive but hopefully I will go back to Gloucester renewed and refreshed.
"I'm a million miles away from England at the moment but if I can get fit and well I believe I can get in the mix. It was important that I went somewhere that I can improve and develop as a player.
"Trevor was way better than me but he is a very similar to myself in terms of stature and how he plays so I'm looking forward to picking his brains.
"I still have my house there so it is an easy move. There are a lot of people I know still involved there in terms of players, support staff and physio."
Doran-Jones faces huge competition from John Afoa, who has been one of the signings of the season, but Gloucester are aiming to have at least two top-class players in every position.
They identified the front-five as a key area to bolster, with fellow props Paddy McAllister and Nicky Thomas, plus All Black second-row Jeremy Thrush also due to arrive next season.
And the former fans favourite is confident the Cherry and Whites are building towards sustained success.
He added: "John is the established tight-head, he's a fantastic player and someone I have a lot of respect for. Then there are some young guys like Shaun Knight and the guys who signed with me.
"Gloucester have talked about strength in depth and competition, there is a lot of talent in the squad.
"They have a great stadium and fan-base and that's the base for everything else, they have great coaching and back-room staff, a sprinkling of world-class players and are continually adding quality.
"We will be able to compete next season, if not the next but at the same time you have to appreciate the Premiership improves every year so it's not an easy competition."
