Matt Grimes: Swansea City captain signs two-year contract extension
- Published
Matt Grimes was named Swansea captain in 2019 by then boss Steve Cooper
Swansea City captain Matt Grimes has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the Championship club until 2027.
Grimes, 28, had two seasons to run on his previous Swansea deal.
But the influential midfielder has agreed a long-term contract having been linked with a summer move to Southampton.
"In my career, if I am going to have top, top success, I want that to be with Swansea," Grimes said.
"There has been a lot of change at the club over the summer but I hope everyone can see it has been a positive.
"The signings we are making shows our intent. We are bringing in young, hungry players who want to prove themselves in this division, and hopefully take the club back to where it belongs.
"I feel you need mainstays in those projects and I am glad to be one of them because that helps to drive the culture at the club and I am just delighted to be part of it."
Grimes was a key player for Southampton boss Russell Martin during his two seasons as Swansea head coach.
He has made 254 Swansea appearances, scoring nine goals, since signing from Exeter City in 2015.
Grimes spent time on loan at Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United and Northampton Town during his early years at Swansea, but has been a mainstay at the Welsh club ever since they were relegated from the Premier League in 2018.
Widely regarded as one of the most composed midfield players in the Championship, Grimes came close to leaving Swansea for Fulham before signing a new deal in November 2021.
News of his latest new deal came on the day Southampton sold midfielder Romeo Lavia to Chelsea in a deal worth an initial £53m, while they have also lost James Ward-Prowse to West Ham.
Martin, who left Wales to take charge of the Saints this summer, is expected to be reunited with former Swansea midfielder Flynn Downes at St Mary's Stadium, with the West Ham player due to move to the south coast on loan.
Grimes has previously described Martin as the best manager in the Championship, and his decision to recommit to Swansea is a show of support for new head coach Michael Duff.
Having collected one point from his first two league games, Duff will go in search of a first Championship victory at Swansea when his side host Coventry City on Saturday.