Manchester City defender Kyle Walker has admitted that he almost joined Bayern Munich to "escape" the scandal involving his personal life.
The 33-year-old was heavily linked with a permanent move to the Bundesliga giants last summer, but a transfer ultimately failed to materialise and the England international later extended his contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2026.
Speculation over Walker's proposed switch to Germany occurred during a period when revelations emerged of his extra-marital affair and fathering two children with another woman.
In April 2020, model and TV personality Lauryn Goodman announced that she had given birth and later named Walker as the father.
Goodman is said to have informed Walker in "late October or early November" last year that she was pregnant with their second child.
Walker has since issued an apology to his wife Annie Kilner, who is expecting a fourth child with him, after making "idiot choices and idiot decisions".
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"What I've done is horrible and I take full responsibility," Walker said in an interview with The Sun. "I made idiot choices and idiot decisions. I can't begin to think or imagine what Annie is going through. I've tried to ask her but there's pain and hurt.
"The man that's meant to love, care and be there for her, did this. There have been days in this ordeal where I've just wanted to curl up in a ball and go to sleep.
"The only person to blame is me. I have roles and responsibilities that I'm aware of and I've made stupid choices. But I need to own up to my mistakes – I owe it to everyone. My actions have caused a lot of pain to a lot of people. I'm sorry because, as a family, this isn't meant to happen."
Walker added: "I am a private man but I accept that I am a public figure and I need to address what I've done. It hasn't helped that it has been played out in the media, but I've chosen to speak now in the hope that I can at least explain myself and enable my wife and children to have the privacy they so desperately need and deserve."
The 81-cap England international has revealed that he decided to turn down a move to Bayern Munich as he did not want to be away from his family during the off-field scandal.
"I tried to escape. Did I want to leave City? No, of course I didn't," said Walker. "We're the best team in the world at the minute. But it was a chance to get away from England and the media I was going to get.
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"I was aware the clock was ticking. I came very close to moving. We were having conversations. I was going to a great club, a massive club. But in the end I couldn't go. If I'm in Germany and this happens, Annie leaves and I'm now in Germany on my own.
"My kids wouldn't be around the corner where I can see them. There's pain and emotion at the moment but I can go to the house, take the kids to school, and my little lad to football."
Walker has expressed his gratitude to Man City manager Pep Guardiola and England boss Gareth Southgate for their support during this difficult period, adding: "He didn't know what was happening. I didn't want to tell him because I didn't want him to think I wasn't mentally there.
"I can't thank him enough for the understanding and belief he's shown in me through four years.
"For your national team manager to (also) reach out in a time of need goes beyond football."
Walker has spent the last six-and-a-half years at Man City, making 283 appearances in all competitions, and the right-back was part of the club's historic treble-winning squad last season.
The Sheffield-born defender, who was appointed City's captain earlier this season, has played 29 times for Guardiola side's so far this campaign.
Oliver Thomas
