BEN Davies laughed at the mischievous idea he should wear his Notts County shirt one last time underneath his Derby shirt when he makes his debut against Nottingham Forest, and reveal it if he scores against the Reds.

But he does hope if he can help his new club beat their own and the Magpies' arch-rivals at Pride Park that Notts fans will forgive him for leaving Meadow Lane, for a while at least.

Davies, 29, was at Pride Park for the first time since completing his move to Derby from Notts on the eve of the game. He was both sad to have left the Magpies but excited about the future, and the prospect of playing on the highest stage of his career.

"I'm sad to leave Notts because I was the happiest I have ever been in my entire career," he said. "I had a great time there and the decision to leave Meadow Lane was a hard one.

"I know the gaffer (Paul Ince) wanted to keep me and it dragged on a bit. At one stage I thought it might not happen. But I think Notts got what they wanted, and so did I.

"I made some good friends there and got on really well with the gaffer, and I've left on good terms. I know a lot of people will be disappointed I have gone, like the fans, because I was a good player, but it was a move I had to make."

After deciding to leaving the world's oldest League club, Davies is proud to have joined another club with a rich history, having signed a two-and-a-half year deal.

"I felt at this stage in my career it was now or never to go and have a good crack at the Championship," he added. "I'm excited about the challenge ahead of me now. I believe in my ability to be able to make the step-up.

"The opportunity to come to a big club like Derby was one I could not turn down.

"Taking everything into consideration, my desire to play at a higher level, and my family, it is a great move for me."

Davies joined Notts in July 2009 and enjoyed the most successful campaign of his career last season.

He was a central figure as the Magpies lifted the League Two title and ended the season with a career-record 16 goals. Many of those were significant goals too, like his injury-time free-kick in a 1-1 draw at Aldershot at the end of February, and goals in 1-0 win against Chesterfield, Shrewsbury and Northampton in the run-in.

Accolades inevitably followed, and he was named the club's Player of the Year.

Playing in League One for the first time in his career this season, he took the step-up in his stride, and scored eight goals.

"I never believed I would enjoy the success I did when I joined Notts. Last season was fantastic for me, and the club," said Davies.

"Everything just clicked into place.

"To finish the season the way we did, by winning 14 in the last 18 games, said everything about the quality of the squad. It was incredible and it led to us winning the title.

"If we could have kept the same squad together I think we would have gone straight up again this season, but finances meant players like Kasper (Schmeichel) had to leave and it was dismantled.

"I have got so many fond memories of playing at Notts. It's hard to pick one moment. Going into training every day was a joy, and lifting the title after the last home game was special.

"It will take some topping, but I'm now at a fantastic place to play football, and I can't ask for a better start, in a derby against Forest.

"I know the Notts fans will be disappointed, but if I can score they might forgive me, for a couple of hours at least.

"I don't think I will have experienced an atmosphere quite like it. I can't wait."