Adam Rooney has rebuked suggestions that he joined English non-league side Salford City for money.
Earlier this summer, the 30-year-old left Aberdeen - who finished second in the Scottish Premiership last term - for a team that was promoted to the National League just last season.
The switch was reportedly worth £4,000 a week for Rooney, but the Irishman insists that a bumper salary was not his motivation for the move.
"I've obviously got a decent deal for myself and my family but this was an opportunity that really intrigued me," Rooney told BBC Sport. "I had four-and-a-half great years at Aberdeen and I loved my time there but I just felt it was possibly the right time to move on.
"I think it's a load of nonsense to say my move has meant a decline in Scottish football. You look at it from the outside and I probably didn't play as much in the last couple of months of the season and I felt it was probably a good time to move.
"Everyone was happy with the deal and I was just surprised. If anything, this season is probably going to be more competitive than it has been in years."
Salford is Rooney's eighth club in English football, the forward having previously plied his trade at the likes of Stoke City, Birmingham City and Swindon Town.
Giuseppe Labellarte
