Grimsby Town Football Club are pleased to announce the signing of Bristol City midfielder, James Morton on loan until the end of the season.
The 21-year-old links up with fellow Bristol City loanee, Owura Edwards who joined the Mariners earlier in the transfer window.
The creative midfielder enjoyed two separate loan spells at Bath City between 2017 and 2019, making 50 appearances over a two-season period. Morton earned his first Football League appearance whilst on loan last season at fellow Sky Bet League Two side, Forest Green Rovers, where he went onto make a total of 17 appearances in all competitions before being recalled to his parent club in January 2020.
Despite only putting pen to paper on a new two year deal in the summer of 2019, the highly-rated Robins Academy graduate was rewarded with a new four-year contract with the Championship side just a few months later in September.
Speaking exclusively to gtfcgtfc.co.uk, Morton discussed his loan move, his new manager and his style of play. “I’m really excited to be here to work under the manager and to be a part of this good team”, said Morton. “I’m looking forward to showing what I can do and hopefully have a successful season with the team.
“I would describe myself as someone who enjoys getting on the ball and playing forward when I can. My qualities are on the ball, where I like to always be involved in the game while also making sure I work hard off the ball defensively. I hope to bring creativity to the team and as any midfielder, I would like assists and goals alongside that”.
Morton also spoke about his fellow Robins loanee, Owura Edwards who has made an early impact with the Mariners. “Things happened so quickly for the deal to be agreed so I wasn’t able to speak before signing, but I am close with him, so I spoke to him when he signed and he said positive things about the club, so I already knew good things so as soon as I heard about the interest, I didn’t hesitate to come!”.
On his new manager, Morton discussed his excitement at joining up with Ian Holloway at the club. “He had a big influence [on the loan move]. To work under someone that managed at the highest level is exciting, so I look forward to working under him and learning a lot”.
We also caught up with Holloway, who discussed his new number 8 and what he hopes to see from his new signing. “He’s a very, very good player, he’s a very creative passer of the ball”, said Holloway. “He doesn’t just create goals, he can score them too. He has got a wonderful left foot, wants to learn and work hard and being a very fit lad, he covers a lot of ground and he is such an exciting prospect that we are very lucky to have.
“I think with Owura and George here who he’s worked with before he will settle in just fine. He’s such a nice kid as it is anyway but it’s his talent I want. I know he’s a good lad and a nice kid but what we need is to score goals and create them and you need someone who can unlock a door, we’ve got some wide men who are capable of that but we also need players who can put the ball through for them.
“I am very aware of what we have lost. I have added Terry Taylor, I am looking at other players who we have like Harry Clifton, who can play anywhere I want him too in those areas all day long but looking at that midfield area, we need another creative passer alongside Rose. I think James will slot right in, he’s already been out on loan once, so that’s great news for me, they usually settle better than those who haven’t had a loan yet and what I am excited about is the lad’s creativity.
“I want to see my teams attack and score goals and James is going to help us with that. I will have to help him in other aspects of his game, but he has got all the ability in the world and that’s why they rate him very, very highly at Bristol City and I cannot explain how delighted I am to have him here, the boy had first division clubs chasing him but he made the decision to come here!”.
Welcome to Blundell Park, James!
