Released Fulham midfielder Alexey Smertin admits Cardiff City's offer came too late for him to consider.

The Bluebirds were keen to take the 33-year-old on a season-long loan but the Russian midfielder instead decided to cancel his contract with the Cottagers and head back to his home country.

"Frankly speaking I found out about the Cardiff City option only on September 1 from my friends," Smertin told the South Wales Echo.

"The local newspapers also wrote that I could be sent on loan to the Welsh side. Even if I'd had time to look at the details of the move, and I was only given these at the last minute, I would still have refused.

"The idea of spending the season in the Championship doesn't interest me at all."