He had already started preseason training down in Cornwall when the call came that Gloucester were interested and Cook had nothing but praise for the way the Pirates handled the situation.
"Fair play the Pirates have been brilliant. Not just to me, but to the other boys who have had a chance of playing in the Aviva Premiership.
"And that's credit to the coaches down and the club as a whole. They always said they'd never stand in our way.
"Fortunately this came around, and I think it's the right time. I'm 28 now and I feel as though if I hadn't done it this year I probably would never have had the chance."
Once the two clubs had agreed upon terms, things moved quickly as Cook reflected when he spoke following a training session at the club's training ground at Hartpury College, less than 24 hours after arriving in the county and needing to pack ahead of a preseason training camp in Tignes.
"I only got up from Cornwall late on Wednesday night after clearing my house out! No, it's gone well. I've been thrown in at the deep end a little bit but I've enjoyed it, the boys have been brilliant and really welcoming.
"I don't really know what to expect in France, but it's exciting times. It's going to be quite a lot of team building, bringing the boys together etc.
"I've never done anything like it before so it will definitely be a big challenge, but an interesting one too. I'm just going to work as hard as I can.
"It's a chance to really get to know the lads well, and I think that will pay off massively in the long run."
His goal kicking success with the Pirates speaks for itself but the Lincoln born player confessed that he'd almost been handed the role by default.
"I wasn't actually the first choice kicker when I arrived at the Pirates. There were a few injuries one day and I just stepped up. I had a good day up at Exeter in windy conditions and never really looked back.
"Goal kicking is a big part of my game and, when I'm kicking well, it probably makes me play a little bit better. It's another string to my bow really. I enjoy it and I practice hard at it.
"It is important. Nigel (Davies) has already said to me that it's important for him to have an accomplished goal kicker in the side especially when you look closely at how many games are decided by two or three point margins."
For now, however, it's all about settling in at Gloucester for Cook and acknowledging the role a former Pirate played in him arriving at Kingsholm.
"Nigel rang me about two weeks ago, and we had a good talk. I think though it was down to Drew Locke (who has also joined Gloucester from the Pirates this summer) as well. Nigel spoke to him and asked him about me.
"So I probably owe Drew a pat on the back and maybe a couple of beers!"
