English defender Micah Richards has revealed that he had received a new contract offer from Manchester City before completing a loan move to Fiorentina.
The highly rated full-back joined Viola on a season-long loan in the final moments of the summer transfer window, but he now reveals it was not an easy decision to make.
With his current deal due to expire at the end of the season, Richards was offered a new and improved contract at Etihad, but he ultimately decided to leave in search of first team football.
“I’m desperate to play football,” Richards told Talksport on Tuesday. “It’s been a frustrating 18 months, two years at Manchester City. It’s my club and I’ve given blood, sweat and tears for them and, when you found yourself not playing, it’s hard.
“I was offered a new contract and I had a long think about it. I was offered more money at City but it’s not about the money. It’s about playing football now.
“It was so, so hard to leave and it was an emotional day for me yesterday (Monday). I’ve been at City for so long and it is my club.“
Micah Richards, 26, had spent his entire professional career at Manchester City, making 179 Premier League appearances and scoring 6 goals.
He has, however, featured in mere 9 league games over the last two seasons having fallen behind Pablo Zabaleta in the pecking order, and with Bacary Sagna also arriving this summer, he was bound to leave Manchester City.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
