Neil Kilkenny has spoken of his disappointment over the manner of his summer exit from Leeds United, insisting: “I never wanted to leave the club.”
In an interview with the YEP, the Australian midfielder admitted to a feeling of frustration over his failure to agree a new deal with Leeds ahead of his release from Elland Road.
Kilkenny rejected a contract offer from United in the early stages of last season, and the end of his three-and-a-half year stay at Elland Road was confirmed in May after fresh communication between the club and Kilkenny’s representatives failed to secure an agreement over an extended deal.
The 25-year-old will make his first appearance at Elland Road since leaving Leeds with Bristol City on Saturday, returning to the club where he played 144 times and won promotion from League One in 2010.
Kilkenny said: “I didn’t want to leave and I made that clear so many times last season.
“I had three-and-a-half years with the club and I loved my time there.
“The way it all finished was really disappointing and I thought my performances over the whole of last season proved my worth.
“The club always got 100 per cent from me and I felt I’d earned a better offer than the one they gave me.
“Sometimes that’s how football works out but I want to make it clear that I wanted to stay, and in a way my hand was forced.”
Comments