Buckley, aged 26, completed a move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Kholood in August of 2025 to bring an end to 20 years at Blackburn Rovers.
The Englishman joined Rovers as a child and rose through the youth ranks before appearing 169 times for the first team, scoring nine goals and registering 15 assists.
Transfers to Saudi Arabia are becoming more common each year, with Buckley the latest player to make the switch.
"It progressed pretty quickly. Obviously, I was at Blackburn for a long time, like 20 years," Buckley told Flashscore.
"I just wanted to experience something different. I think the project that they displayed to me really suited me and it's coming to Saudi Arabia, I wouldn't be able to come do anything like this any other time if it wasn't for football."
Marking Ronaldo on corners
Such a seismic change can take time to adapt to, which Buckley admitted is the case.
The midfielder has netted two goals in his opening five games, though, which has certainly not hindered getting used to life in a brand new country.
"I’m still adapting, to be honest. Just like with the hours, the time you wake up, the time you go to sleep," Buckley admitted.
"I scored in my first game, so it helped me settle. And everyone's been like, so welcoming in the local area and the team.
"Everyone wants the same thing, which is to do well and win games. It's definitely made me settle."
The second of those five matches saw Al-Kholood come up against a star-studded Al-Nassr side.
Al-Nassr's squad features the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman and Marcelo Brozovic.
They also boast some of the best native Saudi players - something that ended up being a good learning experience for Buckley and Al-Kholood's players.
"It was a bit like surreal, to be honest, especially in the tunnel before we go out.
"I was marking Ronaldo on corners, which was a bit strange, and then man-marking Mane in the game. It was a really good experience, the standard of players they have all ov34 the pitches is ridiculous.
"They even have the best Saudi players. But yeah, it was a good experience; we competed pretty well. We lost the game 2-0, but we gave a good account of ourselves."
Saying goodbye to Blackburn
While moving to Saudi Arabia presents an exciting lifestyle change, Buckley left behind 20 years at one of England's most historic clubs, Blackburn Rovers.
Such a long stint at one club - particularly from a young boy all the way to the senior team - is a growingly rare feat in football.
That made the decision to move on a particularly tough one for the 26-year-old, who found himself at a career crossroads.
"It was really tough, it's all I’ve known for 20 years, my dad taking me in from when I was six years of age, doing the same drive every day from Manchester," Buckley reflected to Flashscore.
"It was obviously really difficult because the staff and the players there, I was pretty close with.
"I just felt like it was the right time, and what got presented to me in the project worked for both parties."
One of the key factors in his rise through the ranks at Ewood Park was manager Tony Mowbray, who gave Buckley his senior debut.
Mowbray is highly regarded across English football and has a reputation for developing younger players - something keenly felt by Buckley.
"He (Mowbray) was my favourite coach. My favourite coach I've ever had, probably for giving me my debut and just how he made you feel.
"The confidence he could give you to express yourself, I really enjoyed working under him.
"It was the 19/20 (season), and before we went out to the game, he was saying, ‘I'd be the best player today, you can be the best player’.
"You know, just little things like that, where it makes you feel good. It helps you perform."
Fast forward five years, and Buckley was one of several summer departures for Blackburn, who are looking to head in a new direction under current manager Valerien Ismael.
The rebuild is yet to fully get going, though, with just two wins from eight games, leaving Rovers one point above the relegation zone.
Buckley was in attendance as a fan for a 3-0 defeat to Charlton in September and noted that his former side was going through a transition period following a busy summer.
"It was a completely different team, to be honest, from what I’ve known having been there so long, but it seems like they’re in a transition period of new players and the style of play, things like that.
"But what are we, seven, eight games in or something now? So, yeah, we just need to try and win as many games as possible and try and get on a run.
"Todd Cantwell has started well, getting a few goals, which is good to see."
Wharton should 'definitely' be in the England squad
Rising through the ranks alongside Buckley at Blackburn was a certain Adam Wharton, who is now among the best midfielders in the Premier League.
In a similar fashion to Buckley, Wharton joined Rovers at a young age and quickly progressed through the youth system before finding himself in the first team aged 18.
Such a rapid rise and immediate impact in the second tier grabbed the attention of Crystal Palace, who signed the Englishman in 2024 - and his form since arriving in the Premier League has led many to call for him to be a regular feature in the England squad, which Buckley agreed with.
Despite starting the season exceptionally, Wharton was not included for the Three Lions' games against Wales and Latvia.
"Technically, he (Wharton) was one of the best I’ve ever seen. Once he came into the first team, you could tell he had really good quality.
"He was really laid back, like he didn't have a care in the world, but that’s just how he plays and his play style. How calm he is lets him perform on the highest stage now.
"I'm close with his brother as well, Scott Wharton, and there were times Scott had a go at him in training for being too laid back.
"But it's helped him and it's good to see him doing so well now, I think he should definitely be in the England squad."
Buckley now has his own path ahead of him in the rapidly growing footballing nation of Saudi Arabia and - aged just 26 - his best years could still be yet to come.
That gives the midfielder a bit of a safety blanket regarding where his long-term future lies, with life at Al-Kholood so far proving very enjoyable.
"I feel like I'm still at a decent age where I have a choice, to be honest.
"I have a three-year contract and an option (of another year) here, if my family and I enjoy it, who’s to say I won’t stay at Al-Kholood for a long time and when I'm 30, 31, I come back to the UK.
"I’ve only been here a couple of months now, but I’m really enjoying my time here."
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