Joe Hart's wishes were finally granted when Manchester City agreed to let him leave permanently in the summer after 12 years of service.
Back-to-back seasons out on loan at Torino and West Ham saw the Englishman's career thrown into jeopardy.
So when he returned to the Etihad Stadium in July, Pep Guardiola sought to find him a new club. Burnley came calling and eventually a £3.5m deal was struck.
Hart never wanted to leave City but was ultimately given no choice when he realised he wasn't needed.
"I made it clear to City that I didn't want to go on loan again," said Hart in a recent interview with Sky Sports. "I had one year left on my contract.
"Like I've said before it was a kind of strange situation for me. I know what qualities I bring, I know what I've done and what I can still do.
"But people weren't banging the door down for me, that's the truth. In my opinion I think loans are for younger players trying to improve, who have got the whole world in front of them.
HART FORCES EXIT
"You've got no real ground, no real base or backing as a loan player. I'm grateful I'm here with Burnley and I'm really enjoying it."
Hart's relationship with Guardiola deteriorated from the moment the Spaniard took over as manager in 2016, with Willy Caballero and Claudio Bravo both favoured in goal.
It soon became abundantly clear he had no future at City and now Hart has given his honest opinion of Guardiola after everything that happened.
And it has to be said that Hart deserves a huge amount of respect for his comments.
Whereas most players would criticise their former boss after being treated so badly, Hart has described Guardiola as a "top manager" who was nothing but honest with him.
"I'm cool with Pep, I think he's a top manager," said the England goalkeeper. "He came in and was dead honest with me. I looked him in the eye and shook his hand.
"I thanked him for his honesty. I didn't thank him for his opinion, but his honesty was second to none."
Very mature of you, Joe.
Hart is in a better place now and even though Burnley have lost three of their opening four Premier League games this season, at least the 31-year-old is getting game time.