Former Exeter City keeper Artur Krysiak admitted he was emotional about his departure from St James's Park, but felt the time was right to move on.
Kysiak, who played 142 times for City, announced on Wednesday that he would leaving the Grecians - something which was confirmed by the club on Thursday as they revealed the seven players who were not on their retained list.
Krysiak, who has played 142 times for City over four years, has ambitions of playing at a higher level and while he has not signed for another club yet he said the time was right for him to leave.
"The four years that I have been here have been really good years, because I have met so many good people, met so many good players that I could learn from, as well as some excellent coaching staff. So to leave is very emotional, because those four year really mean a lot to me," said Krysiak.
"I have some unforgettable memories, but for me and the club it was time to move on.
"It is just part of footballers' lives. They arrive into a club and then they depart at some point. It is what it is.
"I'm 24 now, and 25 in August, and I have got my goals that I have set since I started playing football.
"Step by step, year by year I'm trying to get as close to those goals as possible."
Asked if he knew what level of football he will be playing at next season, Krysiak added:
"I will be trying to get a club in a higher league and get more experience, that is the plan at the moment.
"I need a break first though as it has been quite a long, difficult season for me and the team. I will relax a little bit now and let my agent deal with the contracts and finding me a club for next season.
"I don't know at what level that will be at yet, but I would like to play as high as possible.
"It is down to other clubs and if they want me.
"To be fair I asked my agent about it and he has mentioned a couple of names of clubs, but I don't want to reveal it until it is sorted.
"There are clubs that are interested, but at the end of the day if there is no contract on the table.
"Until I have got that in front of me, I'm not sure where I'm going to be."
Krysiak, who has been one of the star performers for City this season, picked up the Exeter City Supporters' Trust and the East Devon Grecians' player of the year awards for the 2013/14 campaign.
He say he has been inundated with messages of good will since he announced his departure, something which he is grateful for.
"I think my connection with the fans improved during the four years I was at the club," he said.
"I have received so many warm message in the last 24 hours, over 100. So I'm really thankful to the fans.
"I think that relationship, between me and the fans, was really good because fans want passion. I think they appreciated the way I always celebrated the goals we scored against different teams.
"I always tried my best and they appreciated that as well. I enjoyed the support from the Big Bank (one of the stands at Exeter City) and the fans cheering me every time after the football.
"I would like to thank every single one of them for their messages and for cheering me on."
Asked to name a highlight from his time at City, Krysiak concluded: "I think the Devon derbies against Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United were highlights.
"Also the match at Huddersfield away when we won 1-0, that was quite a good game.
"However all the games were good, because it was an honour. It was an honour for me playing for Exeter City and pulling on that shirt week in, week out."
