Kasey Palmer has admits that Swansea City's failure to offer him a permanent move was a key reason in his decision to sign on with Bristol City last summer.
Palmer first joined the Robins on loan in January 2019 and, despite starting just two games, became a firm favourite with fans at Ashton Gate.
A permanent move was soon mooted, but there was also another option on the table from Swansea.
Swans boss Steve Cooper was believed to be a big admirer of the forward. So much so, there were even suggestions that the club tried to revive their interest back in January.
But with the financial costs of relegation continuing to bite, Cooper hasn't had much to play with in terms of a transfer kitty, dipping into the loan market as a result.
And, it seems their inability to offer a permanent move proved to be a hammerblow to their chances of sealing Palmer's signature last summer
Having been on loan at five different clubs while on the books at Chelsea, Palmer admits he was keen to settle into a long-term move, and believes Bristol City was the best fit.
In an Instagram Q&A with youth coach Darnell Simpson, Palmer said: "It felt right in terms of the age I was at, where I was in my development.
"There were a few loans that didn't go to plan, I didn't come back to Chelsea questioning whether I'd be able to push for the first team.
"It was kind of like I needed something new, I didn't really see progress at Chelsea at that time.
"The age I was at, it was the time to move on, there was that feeling that it was time to take the next step."
He added: "I knew within myself that I wasn't going to break through at Chelsea this season.
"The stage I was at, it wasn't the right thing to go on another loan, it was becoming loan after loan after loan.
"I've got a missus and a little boy, so it felt right to come to Bristol City and settle down, sign a long-term contract and go from there."
