QUEENSLANDER Kurt Baptiste says Raiders fans need not worry about his becoming homesick - he says his focus will be how to make the most of the move, not thoughts of home.
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The 22-year-old has revealed he was only days away from moving to London to revive his NRL career when Canberra gave him a call.
While the Raiders have signed Baptiste to a second-tier contract to bolster their depth in hookers, the former Brisbane Broncos rake is convinced the move can catapult him back into the NRL.
A junior Australian Kangaroos representative and a national under-20s hooker of the year in 2011, Baptiste made his NRL debut the same year and forced his way into the Broncos starting team after three matches.
But, in his starting debut, he injured his shoulder, which required a reconstruction at the end of the season.
He has since been biding his time in Queensland Cup, representing Queensland Residents for the past two years.
Frustrated by the lack of opportunity, he was about to sign for the London Broncos in the English Super League when the Raiders called last week with the one-year incentive offer.
''I was pretty much ready to accept [the London offer] then this came up,'' Baptiste said. ''It would have been a big gamble to go to London, but I wanted a change, something that would get me back on the road to the NRL. I just wanted an opportunity to show I could play. That's why I was going overseas, for an opportunity to play in the top level and then maybe come back and crack the NRL again.
''I'm grateful to Canberra for giving me the chance.''
The Raiders have a strong history of recruiting from Queensland, but have had issues with homesickness. Star Anthony Milford is the latest Raiders player to contemplate a move back to Brisbane to be closer to family.
Baptiste, previously in Canberra with the AIS and now studying civil engineering, admitted it could be tough on young players.
''I know when I went down there it was really cold, that might get people a bit homesick, without their family they might feel a bit lost. But it's not such a big move when you think about bettering your football career.
''That's my goal to crack first grade and hopefully get a few games under my belt. I know there's a few people in front of me, but I'm going to work for my opportunity and make the most of it when it comes.''
The Raiders wanted a specialist hooker as back-up. The Raiders are looking to convert halfback Josh McCrone into a nine, Glen Buttriss is coming back from a shoulder reconstruction and Matt McIlwrick is being troubled by a chronic knee injury.
The Raiders had considered recruiting the more experienced Matt Keating from Parramatta, but opted to gamble on Baptiste's potential.
''I've only played five NRL games and I've played the Raiders twice,'' Baptiste said. ''That hunger has always been there, but the last few years have been frustrating. I know that's the level I want to play.''
On scholarship with the Broncos since he was a teenager, Baptiste did not begrudge the Broncos for moving him on. ''I'm not dirty on the Broncos at all, they gave me my first crack at first grade, they've always been good to me. There's no hard feelings.''
