Joey Barton has confirmed that his proposed move to West Ham United will not go ahead, but insists that he has "no hard feelings" despite a number of fans being against his arrival.
The controversial midfielder was believed to have undergone a medical earlier this week at Upton Park.
However, the club reportedly decided to pull the plug on a deal after numerous fans protested against the move.
On Twitter, the 32-year-old, who is a free agent after being released by Queens Park Rangers in June, released a video confirming that a move was off.
He said: "I'd just like to thank the West Ham fans who sent me a lot of kind messages on social media and especially on Twitter. Obviously with a character like myself there's one or two who are not so kind or complimentary, that's kind of par for the course with me these days.
"I felt West Ham as a football club certainly would have been a good fit for me. It's a ground I've always enjoyed playing at, a really knowledgeable crowd, really passionate behind the football team. Despite a few having reservations I felt I could really have done well and really offer something to the squad."
In January 2013, West Ham co-chairman David Gold tweeted that Barton "has a problem and should seek help" following the midfielder's argument with ex-Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann.
A message to the West Ham fans... http://t.co/ISwHN51S1M pic.twitter.com/qdmzV9TI2n
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) August 11, 2015
Danielle Joynson
