Swansea City midfielder Matt Grimes has revealed that his poor loan spell at Leeds United actually had a big impact on his career.

The 23-year-old joined the Welsh side three years ago when they were in the Premier League and found game time hard to come by.

That led to several loan spells, including a season-long move to Leeds United under former boss Garry Monk.

However, Grimes only managed seven appearances in the campaign and was way down the pecking order in what was a frustrating time for him personally.

Yet, he told the Swans' official site that it was a vital experience for him and helped him grow as a player, along with a more successful spell with Northampton:

"I learned a lot out on loan. I probably learned the most when I was at Leeds. I learned football is a very cruel game and won’t give you anything.

"I’ve taken a lot from those experiences and that’s why I am here today."

And, it has paid off for the former Exeter man, with Grimes establishing himself as a regular in the first team at Swansea since Graham Potter was appointed.

The Verdict

This is a good attitude for Grimes to have and he clearly didn't sulk and lose confidence after his spell with Leeds.

Instead, he got his head down, played regularly at a lower level and it's now paying off as he is an important member of the Swans squad this season.

Those experiences and disappointments can be a negative but he has learned from them and is starting to show why he was so highly-rated a few years ago.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

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