Kyle Walker has broken his silence and revealed how he considered following Harry Kane to Bayern Munich to escape the backlash he received following the news of his secret child.
The England and Manchester City full-back had verbally agreed a reported £15million transfer to the Bundesliga giants in July but decided against the move as was reluctant to leave his kids.
Walker also heaped praise on 'unbelievable' Pep Guardiola for being so 'understanding' and revealed how England manager Gareth Southgate reached out to offer his support.
Nevertheless, Walker considered the transfer to Germany after his wife of two years, Annie Kilner, announced they would be separating and he moved out of their £2.4million family home.
The news of their separation came shortly after Walker was named as the father of influencer Lauryn Goodman's five-month old daughter - who has not yet been named publicly.
Walker - who already fathered a son with Goodman following an earlier separation from Kilner in 2020 - has admitted to making 'idiot choices and idiot decisions', stating he never wanted to hurt his 'soul mate'.
Walker was close to tears as he reflected on moving away from their family home in Cheshire and spending enforced time away from his three children with Kilner, who is currently pregnant with their fourth.
The England international spoke about how he thought about leaving the country to escape the scandal and named Germany as his preferred location. However, he made it clear he never actually wanted to leave City.
Speaking to The Sun, Walker said: 'I tried to escape.
'Did I want to leave City? No, of course I didn't. 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.
'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 went on to speak about his relationship with Guardiola, stating the Man City boss was very understanding and supportive after learning about the situation.
'He didn't know what was happening.' Walker said. '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.'
Walker also revealed how Southgate reached out to him. The England defender refused to divulge the details but told The Sun: “For your national team manager to reach out in a time of need goes beyond football.”
Walker, who is expected to play a pivotal role for Gareth Southgate's England at the European Championships in June, went on to say he wanted to 'curl up in a ball' after his relationship with Goodman came to light in January.
Therefore, he felt a move to Germany would be best - especially as it would see him link-up with his England team-mate, Kane, who joined the German giants from Tottenham in a £100m deal during the summer transfer window.
The England captain has never won a major trophy in his career, coming close but falling short at both international level and club level with Tottenham, so decided to make the switch.
However, Walker decided to stay put to fight for his marriage and weather the storm, with the MailOnline previously revealing how the City star will continue to be present for Kilner and his children.
