Grimsby Town Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of French attacking midfielder, Elliot Grandin until the end of the season subject to international clearance being granted.
The versatile attacking 32-year-old joins from Réunion Premier League side, JS Saint-Pierroise after working previously with manager, Ian Holloway previously with both Blackpool in the Premier League & Championship and also at Crystal Palace.
Grandin began his footballing career at home town side Caen, progressing through the club’s youth academy system, making his professional debut for the club in the 2004/05 season at the age of 17. During his 4 year professional spell at the club, Grandin made 64 appearances, scoring 10 goals in the process and helped secure promotion back to Ligue 1 in the 2006/07 season.
In January 2008, Grandin was signed by fellow Ligue 1 side, Marseille where he spent two seasons, where he made 20 appearances for the club, including a number of appearances in the UEFA Champions League.
During his time at Marseille, Grandin was also selected for the French Under-21 team, earning three caps, scoring once. After one-and-a-half seasons at the club, Grandin made the move to Bulgaria to CSKA Sofia, before venturing to England for the first time after Blackpool’s promotion to the Premier League.
During his first spell at the club, Grandin made 52 appearances, scoring 7 goals in the Premier League and Championship, with a spell back in France with Nice in 2012. He has also spent time at Astra Giurgiu, Shrewsbury Town, Ermis Aradippou, Étoile Fréjus Saint-Raphaël and most recently, JS Saint-Pierroise.
Elliot spoke exclusively to gtfc.co.uk to discuss his move back to England and teaming up, once again, with Ian Holloway. “It feels good to be back in England”, said Grandin. “I’m looking forward to starting training with the gaffer and my team mates. It was a big reason [Ian Holloway’s influence on his move]. I have worked with him before and he is a top manager. I have learned a lot with him and it’s great to work and play for him again. I have also come back because I love English football and the passion of the fans here is something special!”
We also discussed what he feels he will bring to the team. “I would say that I am a number 10 or a number 8”, said Grandin. “I think that I can bring creativity to the team, create chances and provide good passes and assists to my team mates and I also think I will bring experience and score some goals too”.
Grandin will meet his new team mates and manager tomorrow, as the Mariners welcome Forest Green Rovers to Blundell Park in Sky Bet League Two.
You can secure your tickets for the game online via our online ticket store.
On social media? You can follow Elliot on Twitter and Instagram.
Welcome to the club, Elliot!
