Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said he is not joining the LA Galaxy for a holiday.
The Major League Soccer club have confirmed the 34-year-old midfielder will arrive at the in July, when his contract at Anfield expires.
But, despite the perception players leave the Premier League for a more relaxed life in the United States, Gerrard stressed he does not plan to ease off on the playing front.
If anything, he is hoping to get more game time than he would have done if he had remained at his boyhood club.
"I think it is time for a fresh challenge in my life," he told LAgalaxy.com.
"At this stage of my career I think the timing is right to move on, but I still feel like a player.
"I've watched a lot of their games and I still know I can perform well for the next couple of years, so I want to go into a set-up with a winning mentality with a team that is used to winning.
"I am not going over there for a holiday or to enjoy myself. I am going there to win; if I win and play well, then my life becomes enjoyable."
Gerrard admits the California lifestyle was an attraction, but intends for on-pitch matters to be his focus.
"Football is my life, and it will continue to be so for the next couple of years," he said.
"There is also a huge bonus involved, in terms of where they [Galaxy] are located, that will be nice for my family also.
"The biggest challenge will be settling in. I've lived in Liverpool all my life and am a Scouser through and through.
"But you only get one life and it is important to try different things, new experiences and it is a big thing for my children to take them out of their comfort zone and give them a life experience to allow them to develop as humans as well."
In contrast to how his final season at Anfield appears to have been handled, Gerrard was impressed by the way the Galaxy sold their deal to him.
"Their pursuing me was very aggressive," he added.
"The talks I've had with them have been very positive. They basically told me what I wanted to hear, told me about the winning mentality of the club, what their goals are for the future.
"Having spoken to the manager Bruce Arena and the people above him, they are very aggressive and they want success and that is what I want and that is how I want to finish my career.
"I'd like to think I've got the same attitude as the people who have made this signing happen -- the manager, the CEO and the owner, they like to see themselves as winners."
Galaxy president Chris Klein said with the backing of owner Philip Anschutz, they went in hard in their targeting of the player.
"The LA Galaxy continue to compete for championships and strive for unparalleled success each year, and signing Steven is another example of Mr. Anschutz's continued commitment to the growth of soccer in Los Angeles and North America," Klein said.
"We were aggressive in our pursuit of Steven and look forward to his contributions to our club, both on and off the field."