GENERAL manager Steve Nell insists he has done everything in his power to keep Joel Petkoff at the Link Centre after offering the Canadian the "biggest deal in recent Wildcats history".
Nell is still waiting for confirmation from Petkoff that he has signed for Bavarian League outfit EC Peitling, after news of the player's transfer appeared on the German club's website.
Petkoff flew back to Canada on Friday and has been unavailable for comment, leaving Swindon fans to speculate over their star man's future.
Nell revealed that Petkoff had agreed in principal a new deal with Swindon, but admitted the lure of playing in Europe could prove too tempting to turn down.
He said: "We have already made Joel a new offer.
"It was the biggest deal we had done in recent years so in that sense we did everything that we could to keep him.
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"We knew he had been made an offer by a German club, but on Thursday Joel told me he had not made up his mind.
"He is out of contract with us so he is free to sign for anybody else, but he had agreed terms and he said he wanted to come back.
"It's just a case of whether he wants to try his hand in Europe now or stay and play here in the English Premier League."
Petkoff first appeared in a Wildcats jersey in 2006/7, when he went on to score 67 goals and provide 38 assists during a superb regular season campaign.
He signed for EPL rivals Romford Raiders last summer, but moved back to Swindon in October and soon picked up where he left off.
Petkoff finished the season with 53 goals and 36 assists, and was head coach Peter Russell's choice as player of the year.
He also earned a place on the EPL All Star roster, an accolade which no doubt brought him to the attention of EC Peitling.
"We will miss Joel if he does decide to go but you have to respect his decision," said Nell.
"EC Peitling are a third division side, but the standard in Germany is very high. I would say it is equivalent to our Elite League.
"Until I hear from Joel that he has actually signed then I cannot comment any further.
"If he does decide that his future lies in Germany, and not in Swindon, then he will leave with our best wishes."
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