PERSONAL circumstance dictated Toivo Suursoo’s decision to leave Swindon Wildcats, according to head coach Ryan Aldridge.

The Estonian joined Cats in the close season on a two-year contract but has failed to fully settle in Wiltshire and the chance to move to Sweden has proved too alluring to turn down.

The veteran skater failed twice in his attempts to secure a visa for his wife and young child to join him in England, the second instance preventing a visit over Christmas which Aldridge suggested was pivotal in his move to Swedish Division One outfit Morrum.

“He’s got the opportunity to play and he’s also got a job with a friend away from the ice,” said the Wildcats boss.

“It’s a long-term opportunity and he’s coming to the end of his career.

“He wasn’t going to be settled in Estonia and this is the best chance for him.

“He can have his wife and child with him as well. She has had her visa refused twice, she was meant to be coming over for Christmas but when that got turned it down it got too much.”

Suursoo was heralded as a potential gamebreaker for Swindon when he arrived at the Link Centre in June, but the former Cincinnati Mighty Duck has flattered to deceive in the English Premier League this season.

Whilst Aldridge conceded the experienced goal-getter’s campaign had been underwhelming thus far, he remained disappointed to have lost a valuable member of the locker room.

“It’s a tough one for me,” he said. “He hasn’t put up the numbers we would have expected from him.

“He’s been as professional as can be on and off the ice, and he’s been awesome with our juniors as well.

“Obviously we would have liked to have kept him if he was going to put the numbers up but this is a good opportunity for him.”

Wildcats expect to replace the outgoing Suursoo in time for their next league encounter - a home date with Basingstoke Bison on December 27 - and Aldridge confirmed an import may well be drafted in within the next two days.

“We hope to have someone in before our next game,” he said.

“We’ve been looking for a while and hope to have it tied up soon.”