Matt Grimes has joined Leeds United on a season-long loan, reuniting with former Swansea City boss Garry Monk at his new home; Elland Road. 

Monk was sacked by Swansea at the back end of last year but is already using his connections at the club to benefit his new team, with Grimes the second Swan to make the loan switch to Yorkshire this month after Kyle Bartley did the same just last Friday

However, the two moves could not be more contrasting. Bartley joins the club looking for minutes after falling massively out of favour in South Wales, while Grimes is looking for playing time to spur on his development.

The England under-21 international says that just getting minutes under his belt is "the aim for [him] this season," and he believes that joining Leeds gives him "a really good chance to do that at a high level," he told the club's official website.

Grimes has already gained great experience despite his age by playing for his country at youth level, winning the Toulon Tournament with the under-21s just this summer.

The midfielder, who was signed by Monk from Exeter City in 2015, has also played in the Championship before, having spent part of last season on loan with Blackburn Rovers.

Matt Grimes (centre, left) was a Toulon Tournament winner this summer with England's under-21s. (Photo: Sky Sports)
Matt Grimes (centre, left) was a Toulon Tournament winner this summer with England's under-21s. (Photo: Sky Sports)

The Monk factor

It's clear, as Bartley also suggested after making his switch, that the coaching team was a major factor in drawing Grimes to Elland Road, with him saying that both Monk and his assistant, Pep Clotet, were "really good" to him at Swansea.

"They helped me a lot and nurtured me when I was a young player coming through, so it will be great to work with them again," the midfielder admitted.

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Ameé Ruszkai
Head of the Sunderland, Swansea City and women football sections at VAVEL UK. Email: [email protected]