Swansea City manager Graham Potter believes there is plenty more to come from Matt Grimes after the midfielder agreed a new four-year deal.
Grimes’ current contract was up at the end of the season and although the 23-year-old has taken a while to make an impact after leaving Exeter three-and-a-half years ago, this has been something of a breakthrough campaign.
With the club back in the Championship and a number of rival midfielders having left the Liberty Stadium, Grimes has made 15 appearances so far this season – more than twice as many as he made in his first 18 months at the club before going out on various loans.
But now he has followed Joe Rodin and Jay Fulton by agreeing new deals and Potter said: “He’s a good footballer, technically-minded and adaptable, and I believe he is someone who we can develop further.
“He found himself out of the environment of the club for a while as he went out for a few loan spells, but he’s now an important member of this squad and knows he has a role to play.
“I’m excited by his quality and potential and I think our fans have already seen big glimpses of what he can bring to our team.
“His job now is to keep learning and keep developing and I am confident he will do that.”
Prior to this season, Grimes had made a total of seven appearances in a Swans shirt following his move from Exeter in January 2015.
But having played regular football throughout last term at Northampton, he has seized the opportunity handed to him Potter.
Grimes has impressed in midfield and at left-back, featuring in all but one of the Swans’ matches in 2018-19.
Potter added: “It’s been a great week for us with Joe, Jay and now Matt signing new contracts.
“It shows our fans that these players are very honoured and keen to play for our club, and it shows that we have identified them as the present and future of the club.”
