IBRAHIM Atiku has explained that he has no hard feelings towards Paolo Di Canio after the midfielder had his Swindon contract terminated by mutual consent today.

The Ghanaian signed a two-year deal in the summer after impressing the Town boss on trial during their pre-season tour of Italy.

Atiku went on to feature regularly for the first team in pre-season fixtures but found himself pushed further down the pecking order as Di Canio added to his squad, and he had yet to feature for the first team this season before his departure today.

But the 28-year-old stressed he had no regrets over signing for Swindon and has wished the club and Di Canio the best for the future.

“I don’t have any regrets or hard feelings towards the manager or the club,” explained Atiku to the Advertiser.

“I signed the contract because I wanted to play but when so many players were signed after me I knew that I wouldn’t play as much as I hoped.

“If I couldn’t have the chance to play football and prove my ability then I thought that there was little point in being here so asked to leave the club.”

Prior to joining Swindon, Atiku had played his entire career in midfield but Di Canio saw qualities in him that the Italian felt may make him better suited as a striker.

“I came to the club as a midfielder but ended up playing as striker,” he continued.

“I wanted to convince a great player like Paolo Di Canio, who was a fantastic striker himself, that I could play this role.

“But then a lot of new strikers came in and I couldn’t see myself playing.

“Sometimes that is life and I take it all in good faith. I am a great believer in fate and I will go to find a new club where I can hopefully build my future.”

Atiku now plans to head to Sweden - where he has played before - in a bid to earn a contract with a club.