STUART McCall has revealed that Mark Marshall's decision to leave the Bantams was far from easy.

The winger has returned to his native London after signing a two-year contract to join League One rivals Charlton.

The Addicks bettered a lucrative deal offered by City, while the move also provides the 30-year-old with the chance to be close to his two children.

Yet McCall insisted it was far from an automatic choice for the wide man to leave Valley Parade.

The Bantams manager said: "It's testament to how he felt about the club that it has taken so long for Marshy to decide as he had lots of options on the table.

"We talk about the three Fs and we have lost out on two of them.

"Football-wise, he wanted to stay at the club, but for finance and family, the move to Charlton suits him. He is 30 and not had big-money moves throughout his career, so it is understandable.

"His decision has still taken him all this time, which shows how highly he thought of the club, and our offer to him showed how highly we thought of him. We did everything possible to keep him."

Marshall found a new lease of life under the City boss, having been on the fringes under previous manager Phil Parkinson, and scooped the player of the year award last season.

McCall said: "He has been a pleasure to work with and a terrific asset. It's been a tough decision, which shows what the club meant to him. He leaves with our best wishes."

Meanwhile, City are hoping to reveal their first captures of the summer early this week, with head of recruitment Greg Abbott stating that two new faces could be unveiled today.