Revealed: Micah Richards refused City deal before moving to Fiorentina

Micah Richards admits that he rejected an improved contract offer from Manchester City before signing for the Serie A club Fiorentina on a season-long loan deal.

The 26-year-old defender has completed his season-long loan move from the reigning Premier League champions to Fiorentina on Monday.

MICAH RICHARDS: Long-serving defender @MicahRichards joins @ACF_Fiorentina on loan: http://t.co/MfyMSWCc1W #mcfc pic.twitter.com/wl80WMAEj9

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) September 1, 2014

The England international has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad, having made just nine Premier League appearances in the last two seasons.

“I’m desperate to play football,” Richards told talkSPORT. “It’s been a frustrating two years at Manchester City. It’s my club and I’ve given blood, sweat and tears for them. When you find yourself not playing, it’s hard.

“I was offered a new contract and I had a long think about it. I was offered more money at City, but it’s not about the money. It’s about playing football now.”

Serie A outfit Fiorentina are believed to have the option to secure Richards’s services to a permanent in the next summer.