Daryl Murphy's admitted he had a "difficult decision" to make at Newcastle United after Nottingham Forest bid for him.
The striker last week joined the Championship club in a £2million deal.
Murphy, signed last summer from Ipswich Town, had scored six goals in all competitions for Newcastle.
The 34-year-old had a year left on his contract at St James's Park, but he knew he would, potentially, have only made a handful of appearances had he stayed another season.
And the Republic of Ireland international – who has signed a three-year deal at the City Ground – wanted to be playing week in, week out.
Asked about his decision to leave United, Murphy told the Nottingham Post: "It was a difficult decision
"But, if I am being realistic, I would have had to wait for my chance at Newcastle.
“I need to be playing. I want to be playing football, and hopefully I can come here and get games."
Murphy hardly featured in the first half of Newcastle's Championship-winning campaign.
But he went on to prove his worth in the New Year when Dwight Gayle suffered an injury.
“It was brilliant there," said Murphy. "I thank the manager (Rafa Benitez) – I can’t thank the manager and the fans enough.