Greg Cunningham has admitted his Cardiff City career did not "pan out the way he hoped" after signing for Preston on loan until the end of the season.
The Republic of Ireland international has, to all intents and purposes, played his final game for the Bluebirds, with his loan at Deepdale taking him up to the expiration of his City contract.
Cunningham joined the Bluebirds from Preston for £4m before the 2018/19 Premier League season, but failed to really make his mark in the Welsh capital.
In fact, owing to a string of injuries, a loan spell away and being stuck behind Joe Bennett, the left-back made only 14 appearances in a Cardiff shirt in two-and-a-half years.
His time with Cardiff has clearly been a disappointment, and he has said as much, but is now looking forward to the challenge ahead back with his former club.
"I really enjoyed my time here and I don't think anyone can begrudge me for leaving at the time I did with the opportunity of playing in the Premier League," he said.
"It obviously didn't pan out the way I hoped but that is football sometimes.
"I'm delighted to come round full circle and I'm really happy to be here. Credit to the club and I really appreciate everyone who was associated with bringing me back."
It was thought that Cunningham might get a look-in with Mick McCarthy at the helm, given their Irish connections, but it wasn't to be.
McCarthy had his mind set on bringing Ciaron Brown, who can play left-back and centre-back, back from his loan at Livingston, while Joel Bagan and Bennett are both also pushing for that spot on the left-hand side of defence.
All things being equal, Cunningham, who turns 30 on Sunday, would struggle for game-time in the back half of the campaign and that was ultimately the reason he sought the move away.
Cunningham added: "It's a pleasant surprise to be back. I just needed some games and my game-time was very limited at Cardiff.
"When Preston came in it was a no-brainer and thankfully it got sorted relatively quickly.
"There was talk of interest from Preston before training on Tuesday. I said to my agent I'm still a Cardiff player so I'll prepare for the Barnsley game as I would any other game.
"I went out to train and afterwards when I checked my phone, I'd had a few missed calls to say it had all been agreed."
