John Sutton insists the time was right to end his spell at troubled Hearts - but he has backed those who remain at the club to become heroes.
The striker returned to former club Motherwell last week after being made redundant by the administration-hit Edinburgh outfit.
His departure from Gorgie was confirmed after he declined to take a pay-cut, with the 29-year-old claiming he was previously told he was no longer wanted at Tynecastle.
Speaking as he was officially unveiled by the Steelmen, he said: "At the end of the season I was told I was pretty much part of the plans and I was very much looking forward to next year.
"Then my representative received a call saying that I wasn't wanted at the club any more.
"It was a little surprising for myself because of what I'd been told a little while earlier.
"I asked him to call the club back and make sure that was the case and it was.
"We were fairly close to getting a move back here [to Motherwell] before the administration and the transfer embargo hit.
"You are never quite sure what's going to happen. I did have the opportunity to take a pay-cut and go back to Hearts.
"But, in light of everything, I felt it was the right time to try something new and fortunately the interest that had been there earlier in the summer from Motherwell was still there.
"I'm very pleased to be here now."
While Sutton took the decision to reject a pay-cut, other first team players agreed to remain at Hearts on reduced wages as the club battles to come through its darkest period.
He added: "It's going to be an uphill battle, it's one of the toughest things that's ever happened to the club.
"At the same time, all those players have got the opportunity to be absolute heroes.
"For many years they have been talking about the good youth players they've got coming through and they're going to have to step up to the plate this year.
"The fans will be right behind them again and I really do hope they stay up. It was a bit like that with Rangers.
"I hoped Rangers would be in the SPL and I hope Hearts are in the SPL as well but I just hope Motherwell can finish a little bit ahead of them."
Sutton feels like he has unfinished business at Motherwell after sealing his return to Fir Park on a two-year deal.
He said: "I obviously chose to leave [Motherwell in 2011] but I made the choice with a very heavy heart.
"You can't say you regret things in life because you do what you think is best at the time. I've enjoyed my time at Hearts.
"In terms of unfinished business, we never quite managed to win the cup final, we never quite managed to get into the Europa League group stages.
"It would be an incredible achievement for a club of this size to do that but maybe this year will be our year."
He added: "There were other clubs but I was quite clear with my representatives that this is where I wanted to be.
"Once the redundancy was announced at Hearts, you're hoping your phone is going to ring again and there would be a bit of interest, like there was earlier in the summer.
"Fortunately there was from Motherwell and I said to my agent to deal with Motherwell, that if we could agree something there, don't worry about anyone else.
"Things went plain sailing and that allowed me pretty much to train the next day.
"This is the place I wanted to be and I'm really happy to be back."
Meanwhile, defender Fraser Kerr has also penned a two-year deal with Motherwell.
The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Fir Park from Birmingham City and has made the move permanent.
He told MFC TV: "When I was up on loan last season, I knew even then this is the place I wanted to be when my contract at Birmingham City expired.
"I am really grateful to the manager for showing faith in me. My aim is to try and establish myself as a first-team player."
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