Milton Keynes Dons announced Cameron Jerome's departure from the club yesterday, in a move that appeared inevitable.
The 2020/21 season was the first time the former Cardiff, Birmingham and Norwich City front man had dropped down to the third tier in his career, and while it was brief, Jerome had a big impact on the pitch.
The 34-year-old striker moved to Stadium MK on a free transfer last summer and played a key role under manager Russell Martin, scoring 15 goals and adding a further four assists in 38 total appearances.
Jerome's performances in League One led to a late January deadline day bid from former club Cardiff City, but it was rejected due to time constraints that would have left the Dons unable to find a suitable replacement.
With interest coming from the Championship, and with his contract expiring after the season, it was always going to be a challenge for the Dons to keep the veteran around.
Despite his advanced age, Jerome showed his quality while with the Dons and the lure of playing at a higher level once again was something Martin himself appeared to accept would be difficult overcoming.
With Jerome's move to Luton Town, just a short trip down the M1, the inevitable has happened. The one positive to take from this move, is the timing allows the club to search for an appropriate replacement.
While it will be disappointing for many to see him leave, it's a move that was always likely to happen and his time with the Dons should be remembered positively, helping the club make progress in a new system and come agonisingly close to earning a top-ten finish just one season removed from narrowly avoiding relegation.
Now the club can move forward and work on building a strong forward group for next season, with Charlie Brown currently the only first-team quality striker under contract for next season.
