It’s done.

After an off-season full of speculation, the Galaxy finally pulled the trigger last night, sending the striker with the dyed beach blonde mohawk and a large sum of Targeted Allocated Money to the Columbus Crew in exchange for Ola Kamara.

Of course, this means Gyasi Zardes is no longer a member of the Galaxy.

131 appearances. 34 goals. 1 @MLS Cup.



Thank you for all your contributions on and off the field, @gyasinho. pic.twitter.com/ncu6KaVY55 — LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) January 20, 2018

Gonna miss him so much pic.twitter.com/5ktPO4YcHa — ya bish (@BlindClearance) January 20, 2018

Gyasi has meant a lot to a awful lot of folks since his arrival in 2012 as one of MLS’ first Homegrown Player signings. A fixture in the Hawthorne area the 26-year-old grew up in, Zardes proudly represented the area and worked tirelessly to improve the community.

Zardes really did it all. Inspired the transformation of a sketchy public park into a futsal center? Check. Mentored at-risk kids? Check. Donated equipment? Check check check. It got to the point where Gyasi patrolled the neighborhood as an intern with Hawthorne PD. Zardes never stopped.

“The thing about Gyasi is, he’s legit. There’s no cameras. There’s nothing.

“He’s really an example of what athletes should be. [He’s] making a better place.”- Chris Cognac, Hawthorne police detective

A genuinely decent soul, Gyasi’s character was almost a throwback to a time when Americans naively expected athletes to conduct themselves like perfect role models. And yet, the role fit Zardes like a glove.

However, Gyasi’s eternal stay in the City of Angels was not to be, as is the life of a professional athlete. Even with the knowledge that the Galaxy had been shopping the striker since the summer, Zardes never took a play off or said a negative word.

Gyasi, you will be missed. Take care, and good luck.