The end for Kyle Vassell as striker departs Rotherham United on loan

The striker has joined League One Fleetwood Town for the rest of the campaign as the Millers look to free up room in their Championship squad for new signings in the January transfer window.

He is out of contract in the summer and, with boss Paul Warne having no plans to offer him a new one, the 27-year-old has made his last appearance in a Millers shirt.

"I've had a really good relationship with Vass. We're really close and I'll keep in touch with him for the rest of my life," the manager said. "I think we could both admit we'd just come to a natural end.

"He wants to play every minute, he always wants to be the number 9, which is fair enough. I just couldn't guarantee him that. He's out of contract in the summer and I know that wouldn't have been a contract that we renewed."

Vassell, who follows winger Mickel Miller out of New York, scored five times in 63 outings after arriving from Blackpool in the summer of 2018.

He'd played 14 times without managing a goal in this Championship campaign and his final action for Rotherham came off the bench at Everton in the FA Cup last weekend.

"It makes sense for him to go out there, put himself in the shop window and get himself a new club," said Warne.

"I could have said: 'You're staying here.' But once the player's heart is set on going and trying to secure his future, who am I to stop that?

"Even if I did keep him, would I have the same Kyle Vassell? No, I wouldn't. Regrettably, I had to agree with his reasoning and let him leave the building."

Summer signing Miller's loan move to third-tier Northampton Town was confirmed yesterday.

Rotherham hope to add a forward and a left-sided player to their numbers before the close of the window when they have to submit a new 25-man squad list to the EFL.

Winger Chiedozie Ogbene will be added to that list now that he is on the verge of his comeback from a long-term knee injury.

"I do need to freshen up the squad and obviously there will be some outs this month," Warne said. "I don't like any of my players leaving to be truly honest but Vass has played a big part in the last three years and he goes with my blessing.

"Obviously we will try to move on another couple to allow us to bring a couple in."