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"Nathan's gone, he's history," Jewell conceded to Sky Sports News. "He's agreed terms at West Brom and it looks like he is going there.
"I'm not sure if the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed but as we sit here he's a West Brom player and we wish him luck. Obviously there was a clause in his contract that said he could go for £3 million."
"I think Robson has been quoted as saying I alerted him to that clause - I think he must be getting his agent confused with me. I didn't say it, that's what I am saying to you - I think it might have been his agent, not me.
"But he's gone and we tried to keep him. I would've liked to have kept him but have said on numerous occasions that if a player is not happy here then he can go.
"He's done fantastically well for us. We took him from Bristol Rovers and I like to think we've done well for him too. We wish him well but times move on. We've lost him but we will try and replace him."
The club would not be held to ransom for a player who is unproved in the top flight and he has moved on.
It will upset a large number of fans who have already had his name put on the back of shirts, but Ellington has taken the money and run.
Many believed that the striker was over-rated and played in fits and starts. Only time will tell if the 24 year old has what it takes to cut it in the top flight.
Whilst the fee of £3 million is considered large for an unproven Premiership player who has a troublesome shoulder.
The test now comes as boss Paul Jewell tries to bring in a replacement before the transfer window closes on the 31st August. The manager spoke of his search for a striker to replace the Duke, he said: "It is a lot of goals to replace but none of those were in The Premiership and it is a different league we are playing in now - everyone finds it more difficult to score goals.
"We did make a couple of offers yesterday (Thursday) for players but they were turned down, so we'll continue the search."
Surely with the extra £3 million it must be worth tempting Andy Johnson or Dean Ashton to the JJB.
We must now look forward to the club's first season in the Premiership and put one striker's greed behind us as the club strives for Premeirship survival.
Best of luck for the future Nathan.
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