Aneurin Donald insists his move from Glamorgan to Hampshire was for “purely cricketing reasons” after feeling he was idling in his homeland.

Batsman Donald signed a loan deal earlier this week to play at the Ageas Bowl for the rest of the season, ahead of a two-year contract which will kick in next year.

The decision came after he rejected a three-year deal to stay at Glamorgan, a decision which left the county’s chief executive Hugh Morris “disappointed”.

But with an England dream to pursue, Donald decided he needed a change of scenery – having only managed 67 Specsavers County Championship runs in seven innings this campaign.

“I am ferociously ambitious,” Donald said.

“I just felt my game was stagnating at Glamorgan and this was a great opportunity to push my batting on in all three formats.

“I was in a unique position where there is only one Welsh club and I am a proud Welshman so maybe the decision was harder.

“I want to come here to win trophies and hopefully progress my own game and make it to the national team as soon as possible.

“There is the old saying that Division One runs mean a little bit more.”

Donald’s arrival on the south coast meant linking up with familiar faces, including Joe Weatherley – who was captain with Donald his deputy for England Under 19s.

“Me and Weathers go a long way back,” Donald said.

“Mason and Brad Taylor also, so it isn’t like I am completely the new boy at school.

“You have to see how you fit in off the field alongside your lifestyle when you move so having those boys here is a welcome sight seeing their faces.”

The big question is where Donald fits into the Hampshire Championship side, with the middle-order packed with James Vince, Sam Northeast, Rilee Rossouw, Tom Alsop and Liam Dawson.

One suggestion was he could be Jimmy Adams’ opening replacement-in-waiting, with the veteran yet to decide whether to retire at the end of the summer.

And while Donald isn’t ruling out topping the order, the 21-year-old knows where he would be best suited.

“Red ball I am definitely a middle-order, I’ll probably end up batting four or five,” he said.

“The best batter tends to end up at four in English conditions so that is what I am aiming for but I will slot in where I’m needed with the red ball.

“If the team needed me to go higher up the order then I would, but I don’t think that is how I slot into the team originally.

“If they feel like they need to convert somebody into an opener then I will stick my hand up if it means I can get a game.”

Donald made an instant impression for his new club less than 24 hours after joining – as he scored 60 off just 37 balls for the Second XI.

He then pulled off some eye-catching boundary fielding as the 12th man on the final morning of Hampshire’s cruising victory over Nottinghamshire.

Donald is in line to make his full bow for the county against Essex today, with James Vince away with England ahead of the fourth Test at The Ageas Bowl

And once he sorts his living arrangements out, Donald is looking forward to getting used to his new surroundings.

“I haven’t moved into the area yet!” Donald admitted.

“It has all moved through quite quickly. I had a meeting a few days ago and ended up in Sussex about five hours later.

“I need to pop back and get my life together before I move down properly.

“I am hoping to get some games at the back end of this year, I’ll stick my head in the second team and get runs where I can and show my face around the club, be keen and hit plenty of balls.

“I am generally here to help out and as and when I am needed.”