“I am massively disappointed,” Abbott told the News and Star.
“It was a target we have been keeping warm all summer but now he is going to a Championship club.
“We got a firm ‘go-ahead’ from his manager and I spoke to the player yesterday. He was almost apologetic when he said he had to take the opportunity to play in a higher division than ourselves.
“We wish him all the best and thank his club for giving us the opportunity to speak to him. But I am extremely frustrated and more disappointed than the fans can possibly be about this.
