For Connor Wickham, joining Cardiff City must represent a line in the sand.
It's the second chapter, or notoriously difficult second album, whichever way you wish to view it, of a career which has so sadly lost its way.
To discover the striker is still only 29 is as startling as it is pleasing, because, theoretically, he still has years to give to a sport he looked destined to take by storm.
But, over the last decade, the numbers are stark. According to Transfermarkt, Wickham has suffered 13 injuries amounting to 1,129 days — more than three years — on the treatment table. He's missed a whopping 164 games in that period.
He's played fewer than 200 games in the last decade, a crying shame for a young man who was so talented. Cardiff, of course, hope that talent is still there and, more than anyone, Wickham will want to prove that is the case.
The timing seems right for both parties. For Wickham, after a positive start to the season with Forest Green Rovers, scoring nine goals in 20 games for the League One side, he must have the bit between his teeth to test himself at a higher level once again.
For the Bluebirds, as a calculated roll of the dice. They've nothing to lose, with their current downwards trajectory sending them on a collision course with League One and a strike force so short of both goals and confidence it needs all the help it can get.
If it doesn't work out, well, then it will be a case of nothing ventured, nothing gained. It's a free hit, so to speak. If it does work out, then everyone benefits.
It's clear now that Cardiff are adopting a change of tack from the early-season style of play under Steve Morison. Cardiff are going to look to be more direct and need to get the ball in the box far more often than they have done in the first two thirds of the season.
That is why Kion Etete is set for a bigger role in the remaining 16 games and is also the reason sizeable brute Sory Kaba was seen as an ideal acquisition. And the way Sabri Lamouchi described Connor Wickham in Thursday's press conference was not lost on some supporters.
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"He has very good experience," he said. "I remember him years ago. I spoke with him and saw him on the pitch. Physically big with quality and experience."
Physicality is going to be important moving forward, with the Bluebirds so far having been pushed off the ball far too easily, while they just haven't had enough quality to work their way into the box. That's why a changing of the guard is likely to be needed.
Whether Wickham is the answer remains to be seen. But in Wickham, Cardiff are getting a striker champing at the bit to prove he has still got what it takes to make an impact at this level and someone who was scoring and assisting in the Premier League three years ago.
Cardiff are taking a chance on him and he knows that. Fans will get behind him, as they always do at this club, but are trepidatious over his injury strife in recent years, he will know that, too.
The Connor Wickham of Ipswich Town, Sunderland and those early years at Crystal Palace and on loan at Sheffield Wednesday will not be the one that eventually rocks up to Cardiff City Stadium. This is a Connor Wickham reinvented now, but, crucially, he demonstrably still knows where the back of the net is – as he showed with his stint at Forest Green.
He has more career goals than anyone bar Callum Robinson in this current Bluebirds squad and that has to count for something. You don't just lose it. Although, with so many setbacks, it will have taken its toll in some shape or form. How badly is the key question, of course.
Injury troubles of the past have not nixed his career and he feasibly has some years left in him. Cardiff are short of experience and leaders and they will hope he can bring both. Because there is very little to lose for both parties, but certainly lots to gain.
It's not perfect, clubs in Cardiff position rarely have that luxury, but, at this stage, it's surely worth a go.
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