Relations between Swansea City and Southampton may have soured over Russell Martin move from south Wales to the south coast of England but it's evident he's leaving on very good terms with his former players.
Martin last week put pen to paper on a contract with the Saints after a month-long saga between the two clubs was finally sorted, although it appears things may well rumble on a while yet, with Swansea adamant in their quest to secure the full fee they believe they are due in compensation.
He leaves after two years in SA1, during which period the head coach frequently stated how happy he and his family were in the area, having been welcomed into the community from his first day in the city.
READ MORE: Four members of Swansea City's backroom team leave to join Russell Martin at Southampton
Before he left, the 37-year-old held a leaving party at Swansea's The Green Room bar in the city centre last weekend where he was joined by the majority of Swansea's squad, including skipper Matt Grimes and Joe Allen, as well as friends and family.
It was also a send-off for Martin's coaching team, with the club confirming on Tuesday that assistant head coach Matt Gill, goalkeeping coach Dean Thornton, first-team performance analyst Ben Parker and head of rehabilitation Rhys Owen would be following Martin to St Mary's.
The Secret Hospitality Group Twitter account posted a photo with the accompanying caption: "It was an absolute pleasure to host Russell Martin’s leaving party last weekend before he departed for @SouthamptonFC. All the best Russ, Dean, Matt & Rhys - it’s been a pleasure."
Martin signed off his time in Landore with a message for supporters last week in which he thanked all those who helped him and his family settle in his new surroundings.
In a post on his social media, he wrote: "The past two years have been amongst the most enjoyable, and challenging, years of my life and professional career. My family have loved living in this wonderful city and being a part of this special football club. We will all miss the place and the people that we have gotten to know and who have welcomed us since the day we arrived.
"To the people in the club who have shared the journey with us on a daily basis, the players and the staff. I will be forever grateful and thankful for the way you embraced us, for your unwavering support and the trust you showed in us from the very beginning.
"Watching so many of the players grow both on and off the pitch, young men showing bravery through all the ups and downs fills me with immense pride and leaves me feeling excited for them in their careers as they progress."
Michael Duff has replaced Martin in the Swansea.com dugout and preparations are already under way for the new season, with the players currently in Spain undergoing some warm-weather training.
