Geovanni has become the latest high-profile player to leave the Tigers this summer, parting ways with the club after “agreeing terms to end his contract”.

His departure was inevitable; the club’s finances dictate that. Nonetheless, his disappearance is a pity, for the prospect of him dismembering Championship defences would have been one to relish. He leaves behind plenty of happy memories: City’s first goal in the Premier League, THAT goal at Arsenal, THAT goal at Tottenham, and in total he recorded 13 strikes in the Tigers’ two-year spell in the top flight.

He was also a surprisingly hard worker at times: City’s disappointing start to 2009/10 was studded with impressively industrious displays from Geovanni, culminating in his one-man show in vain at Burnley last October. Sadly, he was too often inconsistent, and could seemingly vanish for weeks at end. It may be that his time with City was one of slight underachievement given his pedigree – no-one else in black and amber can list Barcelona and Brazil on their CV. However, when he was on form it was a terrific spectacle and a genuine privilege to watch, and the recollection of his wonderful contribution to City’s first season in the Premier League will keep us warm on cold nights in distant lower league outposts for years to come.