RAFFAELE De Vita has confirmed that he will not be coming back to City, admitting his injury-ravaged stay had been “a nightmare from start to finish.”

The Italian came back to the club for pre-season, hoping to earn a new deal after a first year when he spent most of the time stuck on the sidelines.

But the thigh problem that dogged him before flared up again and he returned to Rome to undergo two weeks of intensive treatment.

City decided against taking up their option of a second season on the contract he signed in the summer of 2013.

De Vita was restricted to only nine starts, scoring once against Wolves.

His latest injury blow, suffered in the friendly against Blackburn, effectively ended the midfielder’s hopes of forcing a rethink.

De Vita released an open letter to the fans on Twitter to say goodbye.

He said: “I won’t be back at Bradford so I wanted to say thank you to the fans.

“Even though it’s been a nightmare from start to finish, I am thankful I’ve had the chance to be part of such a big club.

“I’ve met some great people, played with a great group of lads and enjoyed the brilliant atmosphere of Valley Parade.

“I’m upset it didn’t work out but that’s football. The injury I suffered last season was a strange one and no one was able to tell me what was really wrong with it.

“I wish the fans all the best for the future. I’m sure the club are destined for great things.”