York City defender Djoumin Sangare has left the club after two seasons to join Moroccan side Casablanca.
The 27-year old Frenchman was brought to York from Salisbury by former manager Martin Foyle.
City boss Gary Mills told BBC Radio York: "Good luck to Jimmy. He is a great character.
"I think the fans appreciate what he was about at this football club. I've enjoyed working with him while I've been here."
Sangare was offered a contract until Christmas by Martin Foyle at the start of the season and Mills said he was keen to extend the deal.
"I was in the process of offering him a new contract to work with him," Mills added.
"He enjoyed his work. He made me smile. When he played he was outstanding I thought.
"We've lost somebody I didn't want to lose. It's a sad day for the club I feel, but that's football.
"You have to move on and I know Jimmy, like he's told me, will be looking to see how we're doing.
"He said he feels we can go on to achieve and I'd like to prove him right, and go on and achieve things now."
Sangare told the club's website: "I would like to thank all the fans for their support shown to me, I really appreciated it.
"I would have loved to stay and help the team get back into the Football League, but football is a short career and you have to make big decisions.
"I will be playing in Morocco, a hot place and it's a good challenge. I will be playing in the African Champions League.
"It's a package that's good for me and it gives me a chance to live in a Muslim country, which is very important to my beliefs.
"I wish the lads all the best for the rest of the season, hoping that they get promoted and have a good run in the FA Cup.
"I would like to thank all the staff at the club who have looked after me and thank you to the chairman and his family."
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