Christian Wade revealed Wasps were 'a bit too late' with their offer to secure a return to the club he left in 2018.
Racing 92's confirmation that the once-capped England winger had signed a deal until the end of the season ended Wasps fans' hopes of a happy reunion with one of their greatest players.
Wade was third on the Premiership's all-time record try-scorers list with 82, when he sensationally quit Wasps and rugby union aged 27 to pursue a career in American Football.
READ MORE: Christian Wade signs for Racing 92: 'Constantly I've proved people wrong'
After spending three seasons with the Buffalo Bills practice squad without breaking into the full roster for the NFL, Wade was released earlier this year and set about securing his return to rugby union.
Before the end of the 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership season, he visited the Wasps' Henley-in-Arden training ground base and discussions were held regarding his return.
Speaking on the day he was announced as a Racing 92 player, the 31-year-old gave his explanation as to why a Wasps return did not materialise.
"Plain and simple, I went down to have a look at their facilities and have a catch up with some of the boys and just chat with the coaches and just catch-up," he said. "I wasn't really interested in going back to Coventry, to be honest, and where the team is now, it's at a different place to where I am, in terms of what I'm looking for.
"Not to say that there couldn't have been things to persuade me to go there and stuff but ultimately I was looking more to be in London because it would've been better for my off-field stuff, commercial."
Wasps head coach Lee Blackett recently confirmed that the club's ongoing off-field issues regarding the refinancing of a £35m bond that helped fund their relocation from London to Coventry and the Coventry Building Society Arena (then the Ricoh Arena) meant his hands were temporarily tied with a recruitment freeze - which impacted their ability to secure Wade's signature.
But the player himself confirmed an offer was made. "Wasps obviously had issues where they were paused and they couldn't offer anything," Wade said. "By the time they offered something I'd already signed so it was probably a bit too late for anything in that respect.
"But Wasps has definitely been my time for my whole career and I'm forever grateful for the coaches I've had. I played with some incredible players over there, throughout my time there, was able to break to records playing for them, most tries in a game, in a season, player of the year, young player of the year, so much stuff that I have to give credit to the team for.
"Being able to support me on that but I guess that chapter for me is closed now, not to that the opportunity may not come around later on but for now my sights are now on the Top 14, looking to win trophies here with this team and enjoy my career."
READ NEXT:
Christian Wade signs for Racing 92: 'Constantly I've proved people wrong'
Christian Wade retires from rugby union aged 27
Christian Wade to make rugby return for Racing 92 after nearly four years away from sport
Wasps tease Christian Wade's possible return: 'Never say never'
Christian Wade opens up on mission to 'empower youth' and his next step