Chris Iwelumo insists he would love to be kicking off the new season with Albion.

The 6ft 3in target man failed to appear at pre-season training with the Seagulls and has instead signed for German second division side Alemannia Aachen.

He has already spent four days at his new club's training camp in Holland and is looking forward to playing in the UEFA Cup, for which Aachen qualified after losing in the cup final to Bundesliga champions Werder Bremen.

His departure though, is tinged with regret at not staying with Albion.

He denies any suggestion that he made excessive wage demands of Albion or that he was keen on signing for another club.

Iwelumo is adamant he would still be with the Seagulls had they offered him a relocation package to move south from Stoke-on-Trent.

He says he knocked back approaches from several other teams while waiting for Albion to make their final offer.

And he insists the deal offered by the Seagulls represented a pay cut compared to what he was receiving at his previous club Stoke City.

Iwelumo said: "My three months at Brighton were tremendous. The fans accepted me and made me feel really at home and welcome.

"The players were outstanding. I got on with every one of them.

"I enjoyed training, I thought (manager) Mark McGhee and (assistant) Bob Booker were tremendous and after the Millennium Stadium all I was hoping was that the manager would call and say 'your new contract's here'.

"It wasn't to be. I took a cut in money to come to Brighton and I was happy to do it at the time.

"They offered me the same this time without a relocation package which was the main factor in my decision.

"I would have signed had there been a relocation package."

Negotiations were delayed by Iwelumo's post-season trip to the Dominican Republic and McGhee's summer holiday in the United States.

Iwelumo said: "It was a frustrating and very awkward time.

"I think (chairman) Mr (Dick) Knight was as frustrated as I was.

"I thought after my three months Mark McGhee would have personally contacted me to see how I was doing. I was a bit disappointed when he didn't.

"I started training with Stoke on July 1 and Brighton got back on the sixth or seventh.

"I have been made out to be greedy and a person with attitude. Anyone who knows me will say I'm a genuinely nice guy and I love playing football.

"I loved my time in Brighton and I thought I would be a Brighton player in the Championship.

"I'm more gutted than anyone it hasn't come about.

"A few of the Brighton fans have written letters and gone on the Stoke website giving me a hard time saying I was wrong or greedy.

"I was offered better terms by other teams but I kept those teams at bay until I knew what was going on at Brighton."

Iwelumo said no one should have been surprised when he failed to arrive at Falmer for pre-season training.

He added: "I wasn't doing a runner. They knew full well I would not be coming in if nothing was arranged for me.

"All the players knew what was going on. I would have had to pay for my own hotel until my contract was signed."

Iwelumo was offered deals by Colchester and Doncaster but felt a switch to Germany would help him impress Scottish national team boss Berti Vogts.

He said: "It was a hard decision for me and my wife. Everyone wants to stay in England but this was probably the best option for me. I'm nervous about it but very excited."

"I think I was messed around and I'm devastated not to be training with the lads at Brighton.

"The Millennium Stadium was great but even at Withdean the fans were brilliant.

"I enjoyed every minute. Every one of the players was a character and I enjoyed everyone's company.

"I made a lot of good friends and I will stay in touch."

Defender Adam Virgo, Albion's play-off semi-final goal hero, signed a three-year contract yesterday.

He said "I'm glad I can get on with it without having to wory about a contract. It means I can spend the next three years improving as a player."