Sunderland signing Craig Gardner is unhappy with criticism coming from former club Birmingham City.
Gardner has hit back at Birmingham fans accusing him of turning his back on the club following relegation.
And revealed he is looking forward to a "new challenge" following his £6 million move to the Stadium of Light.
He said: "I'm looking forward now to a new challenge at Sunderland and to building on my success of last season.
"I will always be grateful to the Blues and the club will always have a special place in my heart.
"At the end of the season I had an open mind about my future, and I was prepared to commit myself further to the club.
"However, everybody is aware of the financial cost for any club that is relegated and Blues made it clear they were not in a position to renew or improve my contract, despite the successful season I'd had on a personal front.
"And when I was linked to a number of clubs it was clear to me that should the right amount of compensation be offered, it would be inevitable that I would be leaving.
"I'm certainly not here to criticise the club or the board.
"They had a job to do. But the suggestions that I actively wanted to leave are very unfair and inaccurate."
