Former Nottingham Forest star Joe Lolley has opened up on his decision to leave the City Ground last summer.
The 30-year-old completed a move to Australian side Sydney FC on a two-year deal, bringing his four-year stint at Forest to an end. Lolley who played a part in Forest's promotion campaign was told he wasn't part of Steve Cooper's plans ahead of the new season.
So far in the A-League for Sydney, Lolley has contributed with two goals and an assist in the opening six games. Speaking to Sky Sports about his departure from the City Ground, he explained: "I wasn't a regular starter in the season we got promoted.
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"I had a year left on my contract, so I was thinking about whether to try and find somewhere to play regular football. In the end, I decided to stay for a year and do what I could to just be around the squad and help in whatever way I could.
"Then, a week into pre-season, I found out I wasn't part of the plans. I wasn't bitter that I had to leave, but the way in which it was done. I'd played a lot of games for the club, was very close with a lot of players and I had a good relationship with the club and the fans, who deserve to be in the Premier League.
"In many ways, I guess they took it out of my hands and it made the decision easier that it was time to leave."
On his decision to move 10,500 miles away from Nottingham, Lolley added: "I'd always wanted to play abroad. I played close to nine years in the Championship and had been promoted twice, so I felt like what was there sort of left to achieve and prove in the Championship?
"There were talks with other clubs and a bit of interest, but nothing that really stood out and was exciting. Funnily enough, it was me who messaged Adam.
"I knew him a little bit, but we weren't friends as such. He then spoke to the people at the top at Sydney who called me straight away, said they really wanted me. It all became very real very quickly and because they wanted me and I wanted to go, it made things a lot easier.
"I felt like a little kid again. You just don't get lucky enough to come and live somewhere as beautiful as this as well as doing something that you love. You're not really pampered as much here either; everyone has got to chip in and do little things, which is refreshing."
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