While clearly the overarching feeling will be one of disappointment for Cardiff City fans, Gareth Bale signing for Los Angeles FC on Saturday finally means a line can now thankfully be drawn under the whole saga.
The improbable signing of Bale would have, of course, represented a huge boon for the Bluebirds. Talks were held, offers were put forward, friends and managers believed a move to the Welsh capital would work and "tick boxes", but ultimately it was down to the Wales captain to decide where his future lay. That, for the next year at least, will be in California.
The silver lining here is that Cardiff fans can now move on and concentrate on what is actually going on at the club. We were told for months the Bluebirds were planning their recruitment based on not having Bale sign for them and that is exactly what they have done. Cardiff were never going to be built around Bale next season, but around a core of young, hungry players and new signings from here, there and everywhere.
