Will Vaulks has revealed his disappointment over the way he was treated in the latter stages of his Cardiff City career.
The midfielder became a free agent this summer and joined League One side Sheffield Wednesday after being released by Steve Morison's side. And the 28-year-old claims his lack of game time at Cardiff City Stadium during certain periods was due to the Bluebirds' eagerness to ensure an extension clause in his contract was not triggered ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
"To be told I would only play a certain amount of matches because they didn't want my contract to trigger was really a disappointing thing to go through," he told BBC Radio Wales Sport. "I gave my all for the shirt and I want to play every week.
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"And that was taken away from me. So I am disappointed and that's why you have to be careful in interviews not to say too much because I don't want to put a downer on everything that happened.
"The last three or four months were really tough mentally. I think the fans probably got that from me in a couple of the goal celebrations because there was a lot of frustration from myself because I'm a person that wants to play.
"I wish the club all the best because you always do because the fans deserve that, but yeah, I still am slightly disappointed at the way it ended. It's a cliché that a lot of footballers use at a club is 'a rollercoaster', but I would say that pretty much sums up my time at Cardiff.
"I had some good times, some bad; overall probably disappointed - three years when I reflect, it wasn't the way I planned the three years to go when I signed for the football club.
"I don't want to lie, I'm honesty disappointed with the outcome after three years. I am disappointed at the way I was treated at the football club, I have to be honest. But that's football."
Vaulks netted twice during his final season in south Wales, the first of which was a late winner at Reading in April while he also scored an equaliser against Birmingham City from the penalty spot on his final outing for the club.
The seven-cap Wales international has signed a two-year deal with Sheffield Wednesday and leaves Cardiff having made 117 appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals.
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