PAUL Scharner believes his desire to move back into defence cost him a potential contract at West Bromwich Albion.

The Austrian is looking for a club after being released by Albion after his contract came to an end.

Although there was a 12-month option in previous deal, it would only have been triggered had Scharner appeared in 25 games of 20 minutes or more.

The 32-year-old fell short of that.

There was a suggestion the club might offer him a new deal, on different terms, but those were dashed last week when he received a text informing him that he would not be kept on.

Scharner appreciates that his request to be now considered as a defender, more than a midfielder, potentially cost him a new deal.

“It’s a shame my contract wasn’t extended but this happens in football,” Scharner told the Birmingham Mail.

“I had a text from (sporting and technical director) Dan Ashworth last week to thank me for my efforts but explaining the club wouldn’t be keeping me on.

“That’s fine - I have no problem with the text, it’s the same as a phone call.

“My missions in midfield have been accomplished and I wanted to try something different.

“I decided to drop back into central defence and West Brom have four players in that position already.