PARIS -- With Blaise Matuidi now a Juventus player, only Javier Pastore remains from Antoine Kombouare's Paris Saint-Germain squad at the start of the 2011-12 season, which marked the beginning of the Qatari era at Parc des Princes. (Alphonse Areola does not count because he did not make an appearance, while Thiago Motta joined in January 2012.)
Signed at the same time as Jeremy Menez and just as Oryx Qatar Sports Investments took over in the French capital -- the two deals were actually in place before Leonardo's appointment as sporting director -- Matuidi has given PSG six years of loyal service and deserves the highest praise.
The France international brought plenty to Les Parisiens after his arrival from St Etienne and in return, the club's ambitious project rewarded him handsomely and helped him become established as one of the game's foremost all-action midfielders.
Matuidi played under all four of the QSI-era PSG coaches so far and to Kombouare, Carlo Ancelotti, Laurent Blanc and Unai Emery, ultimately proved himself indispensable.
That may no longer be the case under Emery, but Matuidi being allowed to join Juve is not indicative of declining ability -- even if the 30-year-old's performances have dropped over the past few campaigns -- but more the result of Adrien Rabiot coming of age and finally commanding a role in the starting XI.
Matuidi was a regular starter under Kombouare before the coach's harsh sacking midway through the 2011-12 term, and although he remained a fixture under Ancelotti, the man from Toulouse started the 2012-13 season as a substitute after summer speculation over his future.
It was Matuidi's performance off the bench in the 2-2 draw at home to FC Lorient -- Zlatan Ibrahimovic's debut -- that arguably marked the turning point in his PSG career. The irrepressible No. 14 played a crucial role in inspiring a fightback from two goals down, and from that moment onwards Ancelotti was convinced and Matuidi was a starter.
The legendary Italian tactician departed at the end of that campaign, and it was suggested that replacement Blanc would not rely too heavily on Matuidi because he had not been an integral part of Le President's plans when he was France coach. Like with Ancelotti, though, Matuidi convinced Blanc and, later, Emery.
Matuidi's combination of energy, commitment and dedication on the pitch, as well as his loyalty off it, made him absolutely central to each coach and their team -- even if he was not the most technical of players -- and largely explains his longevity. What the Frenchman lacked in skill, he made up for with heart and effort.
There have been many memorable moments over the years, such as vital goals against bitter rivals Marseille and in the UEFA Champions League vs. Barcelona, or his now trademark "Charo" celebration.
However, perhaps the most poignant memory of Matuidi's time in Paris was his dramatic late equaliser in the 2013 Champions League quarterfinal first leg draw at home to Barcelona, combined with the way he celebrated with teammate and fellow childhood PSG fan Mamadou Sakho.
Like with the celebrations that followed the 1-0 win away at Lyon a month later, which confirmed the French capital outfit's first Ligue 1 title in 19 years and third overall, Matuidi illustrated how he had the club flowing through his veins and his and Sakho's joy remains ingrained in many fans' memories of that momentous period.
Matuidi's time with PSG is now over, but it is somewhat fitting that his final act for the club is likely to secure the long-term future of one of its brightest youth academy graduates.
Rabiot has emerged over the past season as a genuine starting option in midfield. Although he is capable of occupying Thiago Motta's deep-lying role in front of the defence, he is much better in one of the two more advanced central midfield roles in the current 4-3-3 formation.
Marco Verratti, understandably, occupies the one on the right side, and Matuidi was vying with Rabiot for the left-sided berth.
The younger France international has ultimately won that duel and, now that he can be guaranteed a starting role by Emery, contract negotiations that had been on pause as Rabiot waited for confirmation of his importance can resume.
At 30, Matuidi still had a lot to offer PSG and will bring plenty to Juve's squad. If handled correctly and not run into the ground by club and country, he will help to make Max Allegri's midfield formidable in both Serie A and the Champions League.
Such a rotational role was not possible after all he had accomplished at Parc des Princes and the fact he was one of the most senior figures in the dressing room.
He was also well paid and into the final 12 months of his contract, which made a sale this summer necessary because a new deal would have basically committed the last big contract of his career to PSG and required the club to commit a significant amount of money toward a squad player.
Ultimately, it is sad to see Matuidi leave but, if there was a right time to separate, this was it; he is guaranteed to be fondly remembered by fans.