Swansea City Sporting Director Mark Allen was delighted to announce another serious feather in the Swansea City football cap yesterday afternoon. The announcement that the swans had secured one of the most sought after midfield playmakers in the championship, and possibly half of the Premier League, was greeted with delight by the vast majority of swans fans worldwide.

The player, one who many swans fans will know is of course club captain Matt Grimes. After months of speculation Grimes has agreed to extend his current playing contract until 2025 by which time he will be in his thirties. Numerous clubs have been in for Grimes over the last two years or so, a player who has incredible stats both on the ball, and as a playmaker for Russell Martin’s Swansea City. Described as a role model for the younger players in SA1 Grimes seemed destined to either leave the swans in January, or on a total free transfer in June next year. After weighing up all his options Grimes and his representatives penned a deal on Thursday morning that has put many swans fans at ease with the pending January transfer window now only weeks away.

It’s also a very cute decision by Mark Allen who has reportedly been in discussions with Grimes and his agent since June this year. We reported in July that Steve Cooper was on a short list to become the new Fulham manager. That as we know was correct, as a part of Cooper leaving Grimes was to go with him as a part of the deal. That deal we believe with Coopers compensation money going to Swansea was in the region of seven million pounds. It never happened, and Fulham pulled out of not only Steve Coopers appointment, but left the Grimes deal high and dry as well. A cheeky two million offer from Fulham at the last minute on deadline day in August was laughed out of the room by the swans.

Grimes has knuckled down and displayed true Professionalism this season, and has been pivotal in his side maintaining a solid second month in charge for Russell Martin at the swans. Now a solid pick in midfield with Flynn Downes, and the feisty Olivier Ntcham, Martin is building a trusted and solid midfield. A delighted Mark Allen said yesterday during the announcement of Grimes new contract “I think this is of fundamental importance to us, since the summer we have been absolutely resolute in our desire to keep Matt and I am really pleased we have managed to get to this situation where there is a meeting of the minds across everyone and Matt has committed his long term future to the club,” he said. “Matt is an integral part of the squad and this is a fantastic endorsement of the football club and the direction we are heading in, and what we are trying to do on and off the pitch. I am absolutely delighted we have managed to secure him, and long may it be the case that he plays for Swansea City. He is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in this division, and the statistics clearly show that”

Swans fans will also be delighted Grimes has signed a new deal, and let’s be honest the swans now have a real investment on their hands should other clubs come hunting for his signature. With four years left to run and Grimes in his pomp its odds on we will no longer hear of two million pound transfer fees. A player of Grimes calibre is worth triple that now. He has committed himself to the swans and clearly see’s something in Russell Martin we all see. And maybe he also feels like many of us do as well. That something special is growing in SA1 again, and Grimes clearly wants to be a big part of it.

Swansea City fans should be extremely excited with what is to come in January as well, the ownership group in the USA have clearly seen the value in a successful Swansea City as opposed to an ex premier league club the owners want to offload. If Swansea City do secure the players they desire in January make no bones about it, this won’t be a club anywhere near the bottom of the table.

And at least we now have people at the helm who know exactly what it will take to return the swans back to the highest echelons of football in Europe. And not only that are walking the walk as well.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

Swansea City Polls