'Statement transfer' - Coventry City man on the new signing that's got the dressing room buzzing
Joel Latibeaudiere insists the signing of his former Swansea skipper Matt Grimes is a “big statement” from Coventry City which shows the direction the club are going in.
The Sky Blues defender is delighted to see the 29-year-old midfielder join him at the CBS Arena – a player whom he looked up to during their time together in South Wales.
Asked what the club are getting in Grimes, who has signed a three-and-a-half year contract, Latibeaudiere said: “They’ve got a good player, an experienced player who has played a lot of games and who is always available. It’s another addition to the dressing room and it just shows the direction the club are going in. I think it’s a big statement transfer with such a player, and I’m really excited to have him in.
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“He’s a great guy to have in the changing room and off the pitch, and on the pitch it speaks for itself what he does. He’s a great passer, gets you up the pitch and does the dirty work as well, so just another calm head on the pitch who can control the game.”
Asked how his arrival has gone down with the rest of the squad, he said: “Everyone is happy to see a player of Matt’s calibre coming in and knowing what he has done in the Championship has given us a big boost.”
As for his character, he added: “He’s bubbly, loud and is a big voice who always gets involved in the dressing room. He’s a big presence on the pitch, someone who wants to dictate games, very confident and he’s an all-round pro – someone for younger teammates to look up to.
“There’s a reason why he plays so many games. I think he’s been available for the last three years, so to be able to see and learn from him, he’s a really big asset.”
Clearly someone who he has looked up to in his career, Latibeaudiere said: “When I first went into Swansea he was the captain and he made me feel really welcome. My professional career really started at Swansea, so it was a big moment for me and he made me feel comfortable. He’s a great guy all round.
“We have always kept in touch and every time we played against each other we always had a catch-up. Now with his family moving down, my family will help them settle in as well.”
Asked if he spoke to Grimes in recent days about the move, he revealed: “We actually didn’t speak about it. He’s really close to Bidders as well and I am sure he would have spoken to him about it, but as soon as I saw he was linked I dropped him a message and he gave me the heads up. I’m buzzing to have him in.”
The timing of the signing means that Swansea lose arguably their best player for Saturday’s fixture. But asked if that could work against the Sky Blues in terms of galvanising the home dressing room even more, the former Swan said: “One hundred percent. I think you can look at the run they have been on as well and they won’t want that to continue.
“I know the players and the staff there and they’ll be really up for this game. They always are for a home game. With Matt leaving as well I think they will be thinking that they need to give the fans something here. So I am in no doubt that it will be a tough game and that they’ll be right up for it.”
