Kenwyne Jones left Cardiff City reluctantly because he wasn't offered a new contract, his representative has insisted.
The star striker, the club's top scorer last season, had a special 'love' for the passion of Bluebirds fans, his publicist Tenille Clarke told WalesOnline.
But she claimed Jones had to move on after carefully weighing up his options.
"He was not offered another contract at Cardiff," maintained Clarke. "Things were set in motion before he knew; nothing else made itself known at that time.
"His decision was weighed carefully on what was available to him."
Fans' favourite Jones has joined Middle East side Al Jazira on loan, with Cardiff wanting to reduce the wage bill.
Jones was the top earner at the Bluebirds and it is thought he was offered the chance to take a pay cut to stay in Wales. Manager Russell Slade said at the end of November that talks over a new deal were planned.
However, Jones left this week with Clarke saying: “Ultimately, he made the best choice from the options that were presented, and he is thrilled to be joining Al Jazira this month.
“The fact that he wasn't offered a new contract with Cardiff City, however, does not in any way discredit the work he has done there, the collaborative effort and brotherhood shared on and off the field with his Bluebird team-mates, or the love he has for Cardiff fans.
“He loves their passion – always has and will.”
The big striker made 64 appearances since joining from Stoke in 2014 and is proud of what he did in a Bluebirds shirt.
His representative said: "Kenwyne has undeniably made commendable contributions to Cardiff City since his arrival there in 2014.
"As with any profession, there is change - so his new goal is to settle into Abu Dhabi, get down the business of football at Al Jazira and give 110 per cent to his new club."
Jones tweeted himself on Wednesday morning "Thanks to the Bluebirds... wasn't offered any deal so had to step..."