following relegation from the premier league at the end of 2003–04, leeds could no longer afford to retain mills' services, and he moved to manchester city on a free transfer in the close season, signing a five-year contract. as part of his severance package with leeds, mills continued to receive part of his wages from the yorkshire club for the duration of his original leeds contract. mills often said that he would've liked to go back to leeds again (along with olivier dacourt), but this never materialised. mills has been seen at leeds games with his son after the club's relegation to the football league championship.