Former Swansea City midfielder Matt Grimes has opened up about his decision to make a shock move to Coventry City despite recently buying a new house in Swansea and planning to make it his “forever home”.

The 29-year-old midfielder had been with the Swans for 10 years and was one of the fans’ most popular players. However, in a shock move last week, Grimes put pen to paper on a deal with Frank Lampard’s Coventry City. The two clubs are believed to have agreed a fee for the Exeter City product in the region of £3.5million to £4million, with Grimes set to become one of the Sky Blues’ highest earners. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here.

Having completed a medical before his big move on Thursday, Grimes took to Instagram on Friday night to share a message with supporters of his former club. “It is with a very heavy heart that I am writing this,” he said. “It’s something I certainly never thought I would have to do. Throughout my 10 years here I have been given a platform to create what is every young boy’s dream. I have made memories that I will cherish forever and I am so thankful for the love and support you have given me during that time.

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“Swansea City will always have a special place in my heart. It’s more than just a football club to me and my family. Our three children were born here and it will forever be our home. Please get behind the lads and the manager, who in my opinion is the correct person to take your club forward.”

Grimes’s partner Angela James also shared a post to her followers on social media, revealing that she and Grimes had recently bought a new house in Swansea and that her parents had moved to the city to be nearer to the family.

“I haven’t got round to opening people’s messages and replying to them yet, because I think it’s still sinking in," she wrote. "I honestly never thought this day would come. I never thought we would leave Swansea. I never thought Matt would leave Swansea. But here we are, and that, unfortunately, is football for you. Swansea holds such a special place in our heart. We completed on our forever home (in Swansea) this month and my parents have relocated (from Essex) to Swansea this week.

“This has all happened so quickly, I don’t think I’ve even had time to let it sink in. Swansea is more than just a club to me, it’s our home and where we hold so many memories. We have been so lucky to stay here and set roots and foundations. To the Swansea fans that have given us support and acknowledged Matt for his 10 years, thank you. I’m sorry it’s ended this way.”

Coventry City’s first match since the signing of Matt Grimes - and football seems to have a habit of throwing up these scenarios - is at the Swansea.com stadium on Saturday afternoon. Grimes, however, is not due to take part, meaning he will have to wait for his Sky Blues debut.

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