SHOCKED Jonny Bentley is determined to transform from a face in the crowd to Kingsholm mainstay.
The 26-year-old Cornish Pirates fly-half has completed a one-year deal to join Gloucester for the new season.
Bentley admits his first challenge will be to ensure a smooth transmission from the Championship to Premiership level.
The New Zealander was at Kingsholm to support former Pirates team-mate Rob Cook when Gloucester took on Fiji and Exeter last season. And now he is ready to follow in fast-developing full-back Cook's Cherry and Whites stead.
Former Lincolnshire cricketer Cook has been a huge success at Gloucester, growing in confidence and influence with every Premiership outing.
Kingsolm boss Nigel Davies hailed English-qualified Kiwi Bentley as a 'polished performer', admitting Gloucester needed extra depth at fly-half.
Should Freddie Burns and Billy Twelvetrees be England squad regulars in the new season as expected, then Bentley will fill a vital void.
Knee surgery ravaged Tim Taylor's campaign last term, and the former Nottingham outside-half is working back to fitness now.
Accomplished academy graduate Ryan Mills is more comfortable at 12 than ten, and Bentley's addition should allow the former Exeter youngster to focus at centre.
Upper Hutt-born Bentley progressed through Wellington's Under-21s before moving to Japanese side Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars.
The attacking playmaker enjoyed two impressive campaigns with the Pirates after joining in 2009, but has suffered two injury-hit seasons since.
Back to full fitness and ready to jump straight into pre-season training next week, Bentley admitted Gloucester's interest was a surprise at first.
He explained: "It all came a bit out of the blue to be honest.
"My agent told me that Gloucester had been in touch and it all went from there.
"Cookie is a good mate and we talk all the time.
"His move to Gloucester has worked out brilliantly and he can't speak highly enough of the club.
"I've actually been up to watch a couple of games – against Fiji and Exeter last season – and the atmosphere at Kingsholm was amazing.
"I can't wait now to get up there and meet the boys and get stuck in.
"The prospect of playing in the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup is amazing, I'm really looking forward to it.
"I can't thank the Pirates enough for the way they've gone about it.
"They've stuck by me over the past couple of seasons when I've had some injury problems.
"They've been really good to me.
"I spoke to Josh Lewsey (Pirates CEO) about it, and he said that they weren't the sort of club to stand in anyone's way and that they would wish me all the best."
Delighted rugby director Davies confirmed Bentley will be on hand for the first day of Gloucester's pre-season, on Thursday, June 27.
Davies said: "We're delighted to add Jonny to the squad and look forward to him reporting for training next week.
"It's very likely that we'll lose Freddie Burns to international duty at times next season, and Tim Taylor is still working his way back to fitness after knee surgery.
"So I felt it was important to add another specialist ten to the squad and Jonny's a very polished performer.
"I know he can't wait to get up here and show what he can do, and I think he's going to be a valuable contributor for us."
