Sam Saunders, the great survivor, departed Brentford FC for the last time as a player as he made the move to Wycombe Wanderers.
It's a good move for the Bees, the Chairboys and, most importantly in this case, for the player himself.
Saunders was not getting a game at Griffin Park and Brentford now have a bit more wriggle room in their budget for the January transfer window.
Wycombe are signing a player who will be excellent at League Two level and, most importantly, is a fantastic character to have around the dressing room. There is no doubt in my mind that he will help them enormously in their promotion push.
Saunders will be able to play regular football once again, something he clearly wants to be doing, and nobody can begrudge him that wish. The fact Wycombe is a relatively easy commute from west London is an added bonus.
The winger was a popular figure as a player in west London and he is fully deserving of fan favourite status.
He embraced the club and the supporters and took that role of his job incredibly seriously, visiting seriously ill supporters and brightening their day as well as their families.
Saunders is a genuinely nice person and he's at his best when there is a mischievous grin etched on his face.
Whether it is bravely telling Alan McCormack some porkie pies over who is taking a corner or laughing at himself after what I like to call his 'tactical slip' free kick against Swindon, the winger is always keen to have a smile on his face. His wonderful parting message highlighted that element of his game.
That cheeky grin was a long way away during his injury hit spell in 2014 and 2015 where it looked as if his time at Griffin Park was coming to an end.
Saunders was in his best form in December 2013, winning player of the month, but a series of injuries ruled him out of the League One promotion run in and the start of the Championship season.
He made an impact against Ipswich, scoring twice in a 4-2 defeat on Boxing Day, but was then loaned out to Wycombe helping them reach the play-off final.
Disaster struck at Wembley as, barely 30 seconds into the game, Saunders was injured again and his final over.
The winger has always had his doubters, including myself at times, since joining the club but he kept on proving them wrong, even when many felt his most influential days were behind him.
They were at their peak after that final but Saunders showed the steely determination that was always behind his cheeky chappy persona to prove them wrong once again, earn a new contract and kickstart Brentford's 3-0 win over Fulham with a fine goal.
This season was a frustrating one for him, especially finding himself out of the squad in recent weeks.
Saunders will always be welcome back at Griffin Park, or Lionel Road when that is built, and everyone connected with Brentford will be watching his career with interest, while willing him to succeed.
