I HAD TO BE PART OF IT... I HAD TO SIGN DEAL

GRIMES OPENS UP ON WHY HE’S STAYED WITH SWANS

SKIPPER Matt Grimes has opened up over the events of transfer deadline day and why he believes he can help Swansea City get back into the Premier League.

Grimes, 26, has just signed a new three and a half year contract which commits him to the club until 2025.

The midfielder, who was a target for Championship rivals Fulham in the summer, said his desire to be part of the Swans’ journey was the sole reason he chose to remain.

“The decision was made because I want to stay here,” said Grimes.

“It was not a case of signing for another year or two so the club could get more money for me. “That was not the case at all. “I went to the manager and said ‘I want to be part of this project’.

“To be honest with you, it would have absolutely broken my heart if I had ended up at another Championship

team and had to play against this style of football and been battered the way we have battered teams.

“I had to be a part of it, I went straight in and said ‘I want to sign a new deal here’.

“It was never a case of getting a few extra quid by selling me, that is not part of the plan at all.

“I want to be here to take this club back to the Premier League.”

The ex-england under-21 international has made more than 175 appearances for Swansea and has had loan spells at Blackburn, Leeds and Northampton.

Grimes had looked as if he would be leaving on deadline day as Fulham made an approach, but their Championship rivals did not reach Swansea’s valuation.

Grimes said: “There was a conversation in the morning and it looked like it was going to go ahead.

“And then kind of really quickly turned.

“It was not really down to the wire, conversations were going on through the day. It just never happened.

“I am very happy here and I think a lot happier here than I would have been there, to be honest.”

And Grimes admits the influence of manager Russell Martin, who joined from MK Dons on the eve of the new campaign, was huge in his decision to remain at the Swansea.com Stadium.

“Working with him for three months he has made me want to sign a new deal, I think that tells you all you need to know.