The former United midfielder signed a contract until the end of the season with Dundee, ending a summer of uncertainty which had involved trials with Hibernian, Carlisle United and MLS side New England Revolution.
He was also linked with a move to St Johnstone after leaving relegated Dunfermline Athletic during the close season. The 30-year-old spent five years with Dundee United, accumulating nearly 200 appearances for the Tannadice club.
He is acutely aware that making the move to Dens may not make him overly popular on either side of Tannadice Street, but he will endeavour to win over the doubters.
"It's been a challenging couple of months. There have been so may times people have said: 'We've got a deal done.' Then it just hasn't come off," said the midfielder. "But Barry Smith has been brilliant with me, has worked really hard to get me in and I'm delighted to get signed.
"At the time, you do think about the fact you are moving to one of your old teams' big rivals, but it's a game of football. Maybe people get a bit too caught up in that rivalry – I'm just thinking about football.
"Maybe I will need to work a little bit harder to win over some supporters; there's always a few who won't like the idea of an ex-United boy playing, I suppose. I'll, hopefully, do well and show them I am worthy of a place in the team and I'm sure they will soon be happy with me.
"I still know a couple of the boys at United, although there's been a big turnaround since my days. It's a bit of extra spice."
Kerr suffered the pain of relegation from the Clydesdale bank Premier League with Dunfermline last season, although injuries dictated the former Aberdeen captain had little chance to make an impact.
He is determined not to suffer an agonising deja vu with Dundee this term, despite the side being favourites for the drop. "It was a difficult situation at Dunfermline. When I joined, the writing was on the wall. We gained some belief towards the end, but it was always an uphill task," said the midfielder.
"At Dundee there is a whole season to focus on, and the task has to be to stay in the SPL. Going down was not a nice experience, and I don't want to go through that again."
