Notts County confirm Sol Campbell exit

Notts County have confirmed Sol Campbell has left the club "by mutual consent" after the former England defender asked to cancel his contract following only one game.

Reports emerged this morning claiming the 35-year-old had walked out on the League Two club despite only agreeing a lucrative five-year deal at Meadow Lane last month.

County chief executive Peter Trembling told the club's website, nottscountyfc.co.uk: "While we are disappointed that Sol felt that he could not adjust to the long-term nature of the project under way at Notts County, we obviously wish him the best with the remainder of his career and hope that he is able to obtain a place where he can play at international level ahead of the 2010 World Cup."

Trembling continued: "The investment project is on track; we have brought in a lot of new players and resources into the club, but obviously this is a five-year project, not a five-week one."

Campbell agreed a five-year deal at Meadow Lane in August for a reported £40,000 a week after leaving Portsmouth at the end of last season.

The former England defender was the most high-profile recruit to the playing staff this summer following County's takeover by Munto Finance and Sven-Goran Eriksson's arrival as director of football.

The takeover deal is now being investigated by the Football League and, after making his debut in last Saturday's shock 2-1 defeat at Morecambe, Campbell appears to have had a change of heart.

Trembling added: "For any fan that bought a new Notts shirt and had 'Campbell' printed on the back, I am pleased to offer a voucher for the club shop for a replacement shirt."

Campbell is thought to be highly unlikely to be allowed to join a Premier League club before the January transfer window.

Only if the veteran can prove he has a just cause for quitting Meadow Lane would he be able to sign for a top-flight team while the window is closed.