Patulea sadness at Lincoln exit

Adrian Patulea has become Leyton Orient's third close season signing

New Leyton Orient signing Adrian Patulea admits he does not know whether he was still wanted by Lincoln City.

The striker, 24, told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "I'd been expecting to stay with Lincoln.

"I'm not positive about what they've been thinking about me, keeping me or letting me go," the Romanian added.

But Patulea says he leaves with no ill feelings to the club and praised the fans: "I will never forget them because they are my first love in England."

Patulea was offered a deal to stay at Sincil Bank, but he turned it down because he was unhappy with the terms and has penned a two-year deal at Brisbane Road.

"Believe me it was not an easy decision to go," he said, adding he had to put his family and career first.

At the end of the season, there appeared to be friction between Patulea and boss Peter Jackson after the Imps manager accused him of playing the fans against the club to get a new deal.

But Patulea played down suggestions of a rift between the pair and said: "I think the gaffer has been good for my career and I appreciate and thank everybody.

"I've been really pleased to spend every minute on the pitch and it felt like home," he added.