After leaving the Cardiff Blues, the 33-year-old is one of four newcomers Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has made ahead of the new campaign.
After five years playing in the Welsh capital with the Blues, Sweeney is keen to experience a new playing challenge and feels his move to Sandy Park will offer him the perfect opportunity of testing himself in another tough rugby environment.
“I’ve never played in the Premiership before so that will be a new experience,” he said.
“There’s a lot of history between these old clubs and playing at their grounds. I have played at some of the grounds but not all of them so that will be a really good experience as well.”
The former Welsh international will link up with his new team-mates for the first time next Wednesday when the Chiefs report for day one of their pre-season programme.
Sweeney though, will have a few familiar faces already located within the camp as Ben White, Damian Welch and Phil Dollman are all former team-mates, as is fellow newcomer Tom James, who also joined this summer from the Blues.
The Blues, alongside Glasgow Warriors and European champions Toulon, are one of three clubs the Chiefs have been pitted against in next season’s Heineken Cup and Sweeney says those games will merely add to what he thinks will be an exciting season ahead.
“Back in the season when Tom and I both knew we’d signed for Exeter we said among ourselves we could guarantee we’d draw each other,” he said.
“It will be good, it will add a bit of spice to it and it’s always good to go back to a club where you spent a lot of time.”
Those fixtures, however, are still some way off and for the immediate future, Sweeney’s sole aim is to ensure he fits in nicely at the Chiefs, whilst at the same time demonstrating to the coaching staff the qualities which made him a target this summer.
Up against him for the Chiefs No.10 jersey will be Henry Slade and Gareth Steenson, the latter topping the Exeter scoring charts last season with 307 in all competitions.
Sweeney, who has won 35 caps for Wales, is well aware the battle for a starting spot will be intense but is hopeful of making his own mark from the outset.
He said: “You’re always trying to impress the coaches but there’s three of us vying for that outside half berth.
“I think Gareth Steenson played well at the end of last season and was probably one of the best players in the Premiership for the last four games.
“I’m just looking forward to coming down and being part of the team and squad and hoping I can bring a bit extra to them as well.”
