Coventry City manager Andy Thorn has said there is nothing that could have been done to keep Aron Gunnarsson at the Ricoh Arena.
The Icelander signed a three year deal with Cardiff City yesterday and will wear his favourite number seventeen shirt after the Bluebirds and Sky Blues agreed a compensation package for the midfielder who was out of contract but under the age of 24.
Speaking about the departure of Gunnarsson, Thorn said to the CT: "Aron sent me a text and thanks for everything but he feels that he is looking for something different and thats his prerogative.
"There is nothing we can do. "It is disappointing but there is no-one who is irreplaceable and it is not the end of the world.
"It's not like we have finished first, second and third over the last three seasons. That's something I have inherited and we are moving on.
"But I don't want any negativity because the boys ended last season on a real high and we have really got them going again and looking forward to the new season.
"We have got Gary Deegan back and we have got David Bell and Carl Baker as well as young Conor Thomas."