So there we have it. Iliman Ndiaye is off to Marseille to bring an end to one of the longest running sagas of the summer at Sheffield United.
Reports last night emerged to suggest Ndiaye was on his way to France. Those reports were soon beefed up and backed up by a number of sources, before images and videos of Ndiaye arriving in France confirmed everything.
The Senegalese forward is leaving Bramall Lane to the tune of around £20m.
But after firing United to promotion and being one of the most talented players most have seen in red and white, his exit leaves a sour taste in the mouth, amid reports from local media.
The Star and Yorkshire Live are both reporting this morning that Ndiaye had given his word to United on signing and that media duties and a video had been prepared.
It’s claimed that the club had even got Billy Sharp involved to voice over the end of the video, ending with Ndiaye being given the iconic number ten shirt from the former skipper.
However, a sudden U-turn now means that footage will never emerge and instead, Ndiaye’s exit now stinks.
Iliman Ndiaye to Marseille stings for all the wrong reasons
It’s important to say that nobody begrudges any player a move. Let alone to their boyhood club and a club heading for Champions League football.
But after the reports this morning, Ndiaye has a lot to answer for really. Sure, there’ll be his side of the story and there might well be something behind the scenes that changed.
However, going through the process of filming an announcement video and essentially showing your teammates and management that you’re signing before going the other way, is a bad look for Ndiaye.
So while the memories he’s provided will be there and the talent we witness obvious, there is no legacy. Ndiaye – no doubt led by an agent – has tarnished that by this apparent ‘messing about’.
Sheffield United will continue as always without Iliman Ndiaye. It’s just a shame his time with the club has ended in what now seems to be a bitter fashion.