Coventry sign Swansea midfielder Grimes

Matt Grimes played a prominent role in Swansea's 2-1 win in September at the CBS Arena, a ground where he has never lost

Coventry City have completed the signing of Swansea City midfielder Matt Grimes for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a half-year deal.

Devon-born Grimes, 29, began his career with Exeter City and joined Swansea when they were a Premier League side in 2015.

He had loans with Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United and Northampton Town, but has been a Swansea fixture in recent seasons, taking his tally to 333 appearances for the club.

It took three separate bids from Championship play-off hopefuls Coventry to get their first January move done - boss Frank Lampard's first signing.

"I've admired him for a long time," Lampard told BBC CWR. "He's one of the best midfield players in the league.

"Good experience, technical ability. He understands the league.

"He feels like a leader in the dressing room already so we're very pleased to have him with us.

"It's always a balance in the team to try and have experience within it. People who know what it takes can help the younger players alongside them to improve and help us improve.

"Most strong teams have that nice blend of youth and experience. We have a bit of that already but it's nice to have brought in more experience."

Grimes has started all Swansea's last 88 Championship matches - a record going back to early March 2023.

"It's a testament to how he looks after himself and his robust nature to be able to do that," said Lampard. "He's done that for quite a long time. He's a regular player so obviously we hope that continues with us."

Sky Blues defender Joel Latibeaudiere was a team-mate of Grimes at Swansea before making the same move to the Midlands in 2023.

"We've got a great player," he told BBC CWR. "It just shows the direction the club's going in. I think it's a big statement.

"He's an experienced player, who has played a lot of games and is always available. And he's a great guy to have in the changing room and off the pitch.

"On the pitch he speaks for himself with what he does. Another calm head who can control the game. He's a great passer, can get us up the pitch and does the dirty work as well.

"When you see a player such as Matt come in with the calibre that he is and knowing what he's done in the Championship, it gives us a big boost."

Frank Lampard and Joel Latibeaudiere were talking to BBC CWR's Clive Eakin