ZAT Knight has not completely ruled out a move to the US as he weighs up life after Wanderers.

The former skipper, who leaves the Reebok this summer after five years, was linked strongly with MLS outfit Philadelphia Union in February.

But the 34-year-old defender insists he has not spoken about a move to the States, and plans to step up his search for a new club once he returns from holiday at the start of next month.

“People talk but I genuinely know nothing about playing in America – I want to go away for the summer and hopefully my phone will start ringing. Then we’ll see what’s good for me and my family.

“I don’t feel I will be short of offers but I don’t want to get ahead of myself either – I want to be realistic.

“I still feel I have got four or five years of playing left in me, depending on injuries, but my professionalism has got me this far and hopefully that will carry on.”

Knight hopes Wanderers learn their lessons after this season’s failures, in particular the poor start that left them with too much ground to catch up in the second half of the campaign.

“I want them to improve and I hope they can get back to the Premier League,” said the big centre-half.

“The facilities are fantastic and everyone who comes here will probably tell you it’s the best club they have played at.

“The people around the club deserve to get it right and hopefully they can do that next season.

“Last year we got it right at the very end. This season we weren’t good enough at the start and got better towards the end.

“It’s about maintaining a stable ship for Bolton now. You can’t expect to do anything if you don’t win in your first 13 games. If you want to get promoted, you can’t do that.”

Knight leaves Wanderers after making 191 appearances and scoring four goals – making this the longest stay of any of his three professional clubs, which also include Aston Villa and Fulham.

The Solihull-born defender insists he holds no grudges as he prepares to make his next move.

“When I look back, it has all gone really fast,” he said.

“I’ll take some good memories and some bad ones from Bolton but it’s been a good road.

“If my career were to finish today – from where I was at 17 to where I am today, I would have enjoyed it.

“From where I came from and was brought up, I never thought I’d reach the highest level and play professional football. But I have done it and I’m happy in my life.”