Scott Robinson says Partick Thistle wanted to keep him at the club, but the promise of a two-and-a-half year deal at Hamilton Accies was too good to turn down.
The 32-year-old attacking midfielder signed on deadline day as Scott Martin headed in the opposite direction, and says boss John Rankin played a huge role in his decision to join up at New Douglas Park.
Robinson says contract security was something Thistle couldn’t match when it and he’s happy to get stuck in.
He said: “It sort of came about on the last day or two of the window. Hamilton had got in touch with my agent, said they were interested in trying to do something, and with their bad run of form they wanted to change things up a wee bit.
“As soon as I knew of the interest I was interested myself.
“Thistle wanted to keep me, but because they weren’t in a position to offer me a contract right away, I asked if it was okay that we came to an agreement where they let me go.
“I’ve got to do what was right for my family as well.
“I spoke to John Rankin and he made my mind up – he was really passionate and enthusiastic.
“The gaffer here made up my mind, and I wan ted to jump over to Accies, get settled and get stuck right in to the challenge.”
Robinson added: “The contract gives me security and I was more than happy to jump to this new challenge.
“When I looked at Hamilton’s squad, I knew a lot of the boys, having played with them before.
“It looked like a good dressing room, so I was quite excited by the challenge.”