Distin leaves City

City central defender Sylvain Distin today announced that he would not take up the option of a new contract and will leave the club with immediate effect.

Speaking to the official website mcfc.co.uk Distin claimed he simply fancied a new challenge after five years at City.

'It has been an incredibly tough decision but in the end, I just feel I want a fresh challenge.

'I have had five very enjoyable years at City and I wish the club all the best for the future but I want to play somewhere different.

'It is time for a change and it is time for me to move on.'

Alastair Mackintosh explained to the official website how the club had tried to keep the central defender at Eastlands.

"We left no stone unturned to try and persuade him that his future lay with us. We recently explored a new option that would have allowed Sylvain to leave in this transfer window or the next one on a free transfer if he was not happy with the on-field progress we were making.

"This offer would have given Sylvain the maximum flexibility to consider his future over the next few months.

"However Sylvain made it clear that he felt his ambitions could be better delivered elsewhere.

"He was a fantastic player for this football club and I am sure that all supporters would join me in thanking him for his efforts over the last five years."

Distin played 206 times for the blues, scoring six times, and will be missed at the heart of the defence.

If he moves to one of the sides offering European football next season then I for one don't blame him for moving.

If as expected, he turns up at Pompey, well the less said the better.

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