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Reggae Boy Grant signs with Scunthorpe United

Published:Monday | January 31, 2022 | 12:07 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Anthony Grant
Anthony Grant

National midfielder Anthony Grant will have a new club to call home for the foreseeable future.

Grant, 34, signed with English League Two side Scunthorpe United last Saturday on a permanent deal after leaving Swindon Town on Friday by mutual consent.

The move sees an end to a frustrating time at the club in which he only made five league appearances this season and has not been in the squad for the majority of the campaign. Swindon Town said that the decision came from conversations between the club and the player, ultimately deciding that “a fresh start was needed for both parties”.

Grant move comes as questions were raised regarding his omission from Jamaica’s 23-man squad for the ongoing slate of World Cup qualifiers, which began with a 2-1 loss to Mexico. The Reggae Boyz will next play Costa Rica on Wednesday after yesterday defeat by Panama.

After not seeing the field for Swindon Town since last August, Grant says that he is looking forward to playing on a regular basis.

I started the season well with Swindon but then went away with my country, and when I came back, I couldn’t get back in the team. I’ve been training and working hard, but that’s what happens when we don’t get international breaks at this level. It is what it is, and now I’m here,” Grant told the club website.

“I’m over the moon to finally get it over the line. I obviously just want to get back to playing football.”

Grant was given his international debut in early September in Jamaica’s World Cup qualifying opener against Mexico by then head coach Theodore Whitmore. He has made six appearances so far in the qualifiers. He made his club debut on Saturday, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Port Vale.

While he is switching from a club that is currently in seventh place to his new team, which is at the bottom of the table, Grant says that he is committed to fighting for the club’s survival in the league.

“Everybody likes a battle, and there’s always a team that gets out of this situation. Why can’t that be Scunthorpe?” Grant asked. “Hopefully, I can bring my experience, and the young lads in the team can bring their energy, and it’ll be a good mix.

Grant could be in line for his home debut on Saturday when they face Oldham Athletic.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com