McCormack, 24, signed a three-year deal with Leeds last week in time to make his debut off the substitutes' bench at Watford and is grateful to be handed a fresh start at Elland Road.
The Scotland international said: "If I'm being honest I knew I had to leave before Bellers came. Everyone thinks `oh he has come in and taken your place', but I wasn't playing a lot last season either so it's a relief to get out and be involved somewhere.
"It's been perceived as though there was a transfer request, but there wasn't. These things can't be helped and I had some great times there. Me and my fiancee have been talking about this for a while and it's nice to get out and start afresh."
McCormack added: "I'd heard people saying I'd spoken to this club and that club, but apart from Ipswich I haven't spoken to anyone else. That was a swap deal and once Leeds came in for me that was it."
Source: PA
Source: PA