Kieran Sadlier: 'I should never have signed for Rotherham United'

The attacker, who left the table-topping Millers for League One rivals Bolton Wanderers in the January transfer window, endured a frustrating spell at AESSEAL New York Stadium and made only 19 starts for the club.

He thought he was on his way to the Trotters in the summer but says Rotherham changed their mind at the last minute and decided to hold on to him.

The 27-year-old had been a stand-out player in the third tier when he left Doncaster Rovers in 2020 to make his mark with Paul Warne's side

“I’ll be very open and say it was the completely wrong decision to go there," he said.

"There were a few clubs interested but they weren’t really the clubs I wanted to go to or ones that suited me. I had to make a decision and I ended up going there."

After an injury-hit first year at New York, Sadlier was aware of Bolton's interest all through last pre-season and claims Rotherham had said he would be allowed to head to the UniBol Stadium.

“You get told one thing but they don’t stick to it," he said. "I made it clear I just wanted to play football. 

“They didn’t let me come here and then I didn’t play as much as I wanted to. ‘You can go. Now you can’t go.’ It was a very frustrating time for me mentally.  

"I am not bitter or anything – I wish them all the best – but I am very happy to be here now."

The Republic of Ireland youth international sees himself as a wide man or offensive midfielder but Rotherham's switch to a 3-5-2 system meant they played without wingers while Warne felt he had better options in the centre of the park.

A wing-back role never suited him and he made just five league starts this term before his exit.

He's left a club at the summit of the table but says he's already happier at mid-table Bolton where his qualities are a better fit.

“It was just a completely different style of play at Rotherham," he said. "They expect different things to what is expected at other places

“They are a hard-working team but they do it in different ways. They have attacking players but they don’t really play with technical, attacking players who get into pockets and do things on the ball.  

“I know they are top of the league but I would always choose to come to a place like this over being there and in first place. Since I came in, I have been really well looked after and sometimes it is the little things that give you that confidence."

Sadlier maintains that, despite being unsettled, he never let his standards slip during his time with the Millers.

“I stayed professional to the very end," he said. "I am not the kind of person to be bad in a dressing room. I always gave my all.

"When I got the chance  this season and actually started, whether that be in the league or different cups, I always did well. I think my stats were really good in goals and assists and in set-pieces."

He has made substitute appearances in two Wanderers wins since agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal and his new club look rejuvenated by the January business they have done.

“This is a fresh start," he said. "I am coming into my peak in the next year or two so hopefully Bolton can see the best of me."