DEFENDER Chris Todd insists he leaves Newport County without animosity despite revealing he wishes he could have stayed at Spytty Park.

The former Torquay and Exeter City man who joined the Exiles 18 months ago after winning a fight with leukemia, has penned a two-year deal with Forest Green Rovers.

Todd had an option to extend his current County deal and admits he is as surprised as anyone that he wasn’t staying on.

“I have to say I didn’t expect this, I was as shocked as anyone, because I thought I had a two-year contract,” he said.

“But it was only an option and both parties needed to agree on new terms.

“With the club going full time I felt I should be given a little bit more – nothing outrageous – but the offer was for virtually the same terms.

“Even then I thought it would get sorted. Perhaps if we’d started negotiating earlier it would’ve done, but it never happened and I started to feel like I was getting mixed signals from the club.

“After a while you have to take stock and because I have a family to support I was willing to listen to what else was on the table.

“The Forest Green deal made sense financially. Perhaps if you want to look at it this way, Forest Green wanted me, or needed me, more than Newport County did.

“I am excited about their plans, but I understand how it goes with regards to Newport County and I don’t have any ill-feelings, I don’t hold any grudges.”

Todd admits to a feeling of sadness.

“Newport County is a club that really grabs you, the fans are amazing, fanatics, and I am sad to leave the way I have,” not being able to say goodbye,” he said.

“Newport will be with me forever as a club, I have great memories and it was brilliant to be a part of winning the league in a historic way.

“But I am only 29 and I feel like I have plenty still to offer and the Forest Green offer gives me stability and I can concentrate on my football.”

Todd, a Swansea boy, did attract interest from Europa League bound Neath, a side already packed with ex-County men, but opted to stick with the Conference, even if it will mean a battle with his old mates.

“I have to be honest, the Welsh Premier League doesn’t really appeal to me at this stage of my career,” he said.

“I feel I can still deliver the goods and I think we can surprise a few people in the Conference by pushing up the table.

“It will be very bizarre playing against Newport County, but it’s a game I will look forward to.

“I wish the club nothing but the best, except when we play them.”