FORMER Newport County AFC star Sean Rigg has spoken out to explain why he’s given up full-time football to become a tattoo artist.

Rigg’s contract was cancelled by mutual consent on Monday and he has now signed for Conference South part-timers Bath City.

But County manager Michael Flynn revealed that the real reason for Rigg’s departure was his desire to follow a new career path.

The story captured the imagination of the national media before the Exiles’ FA Cup fourth-round replay with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night and the former Exiles man has now broken his silence on the story.

“I feel like I've had a decent career, money doesn't rule the world,” Rigg told BBC Newsbeat.

“You've got to be happy and I wasn't totally happy with the way things were going.

“I wasn't really getting a lot of game time at Newport.”

He continued: “People would think that there's more money in football than tattooing but that's for players in the Championship and above.

“The tattoo industry is booming at the moment and people make a hell of a lot of money, especially the ones who are knocking out really good work and have a good reputation.”

Training part-time with Bath will help Rigg in establishing his new business.

“Obviously it helps being in the game still, semi-professional at Bath,” he said.

“That'll give me the chance to build my reputation up and make a good career out of this as well.”

The 29-year-old, who joined County in 2016, is hoping to focus on black, white and grey tattoos and in recent years has been practising his skills with the needle on his own body.

“I did some on my legs and they've come out OK actually,” he said.

“I was a bit worried about making a mess of myself but they actually came out alright.”

Former teammate Joe Day admitted he was “a little surprised” when he heard the news.

“Obviously Sean was a key member of the squad for the time he was here,” said the County goalkeeper.

“But as I understand it he has another career he wants to pursue and he wasn’t so much in the team this season so it’s been hard for him.

“Obviously he was a huge part of us staying in the League last year, he’s a lovely bloke and I wish him all the best.”