Bristol Rovers have agreed a fresh deal with former Chelsea defender Josh Grant.
Grant was out of contract at the end of the season but has now penned a new deal that will give him a guaranteed one-year at the club, with them holding an option on a second year.
The six-foot defender joined Chelsea as an eight-year-old and progressed through the ranks at Stamford Bridge, representing England as a youth international. He had loan spells with Yeovil and Plymouth in League Two, before signing a two-year deal with The Gas in 2022.
He played 32 matches as they were relegated from League One, adding a further 21 as they made an immediate return the following season. A knee injury in February 2022 robbed him of a handful of fixtures, but he was able to return for the final five matches of the campaign, appearing for a minute in the infamous 7-0 hammering of Scunthorpe United.
This season, he appeared for just ten minutes on the opening day, before going under the surgeon’s knife in October to manage a succession of niggling injuries. He did appear back on the grass, the training field rather than the pitch, at the end of the season, and has been handed a deal as Barton looks to improve on his side’s 17th-place finish this season.
“It was great to see Josh back on the grass at the end of the last campaign,” said Barton. “We have full belief in what he offers to this football club, and I’m confident he will make a big impact with our group for next season.”
Grant was one of four Gas players offered new deals, the other three being Harvey Greenslade, Ryan Jones, and Grant Ward.
Writer’s View
Josh Grant is a talent, there’s no doubt about it, but the new deal does reflect the gamble Barton is taking. A one-year deal and a year option suggests they’re willing to roll the dice on his fitness, but not commit to a longer period. The option is there if the gamble comes off, but if it doesn’t, it could be curtain at the end of 2023/24.
It’s a shame for Grant, who has looked like a serious prospect and enjoyed some really positive form whilst at Plymouth, and as The Gas won promotion. He’s a stylish player and can cause real damage from left wing-back if he can get fit and play 30-plus games for the club.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
