SAM WEDGBURY has sensationally quit Wrexham.

The midfielder left the club by mutual consent after holding talks with manager Sam Ricketts.

Brought in from Forest Green Rovers by Dean Keates last summer, Wedgbury played a key role as Wrexham challenged for promotion and he penned a new deal in February to keep him at The Racecourse for the 2018-19 campaign.

But Wedgbury, who hails from Sheffield, says the commute for training has become a burden and the club have agreed for him to move on, with the 29-year-old handing back his signing-on fee he received after penning his contract extension.

"I actually got a signing on fee for the new contract so I have handed that back," said Wedgbury.

"I would not do the dirty on the club, I have got too much respect for the club and myself.

"It is a fan owned club and money matters, they need to stay above board and I want to do it in a classy way and not be an idiot."

Wedgbury, who made 41 league appearances this season, previously spent three years with Forest Green.

But the distance of travel for training, and staying over a few times a week, has taken its toll on Wedgbury who is getting married to partner Alice this summer.

"I have lived away from home for five years, commuting everywhere I have been," said Wedgbury.

"I am getting married this summer and we are trying for a family.

"I only see my partner a couple of times a week, I am 29 now and my family life has to take precedence.

"I just wish I could pick the club up and put it closer to home because the club is perfect.

"But I owe it to my partner, it is not fair to her. She has been an army wife for five years."

Wedgbury thanked Ricketts for allowing him to leave because of personal reasons and says he had too much respect just to be going through the motions at Wrexham.

"Sam was brilliant with me. He could have kept me here and held me to ransom but he understood my position," said Wedgbury.

"I could have sat there and picked my money up for a year but I have got respect for the club, the lads and the fans.

"I have been at clubs with lads who don't want to be at the club and have stayed there but I am not that type of lad.

"It is disrespectful if you have not got your heart in it. I have got too much respect for the lads, I played 42 times this season and they all put their bodies on the line with me."

Wedgbury loved his time at Wrexham but was disappointed the promotion push fell away with the Reds eventually finishing 10th in the National League following a poor run-in.

"I was oohing and ahhing when Dean offered me the new contract but I was enjoying playing under Dean at the time," said Wedgbury.

"I would not say Dean leaving changed things. When the manager who signs you goes it does flatten you a bit but I always gave 100 per cent.

"I have thought long and hard over it. I really enjoyed my time at the club, it was a good year, I am just gutted it did not end in promotion.

"They are a great set of lads and I made some good friends on and off the pitch."

Wedgbury insists he does not have another club lined up at this moment in time.

"Nothing. People might see what's happened and contact me," added Wedgbury. "A lot of clubs are local to me so no doubt there will be offers."