The 21 year old, who made 10 substitute appearances for the Blues on loan last season, has taken the chance to join the squad on a permanent basis after impressing Blues boss Steve Tilson in pre-season friendlies.
Grant spoke to www.southendunited.co.uk;
"It is good to have finally got it all sorted. I have had lots of loan spells throughout my career but it is nice to now settle down and hopefully play regularly. Last season I spent three months at Roots Hall and altough I didn't get to start I liked the team and the manager. So when the opportunity for me to come back in the summer was a possibility I jumped at the chance."
Tilly took it up; "We obviously had him with us on loan towards the end of last season so we know what he's about and it's a good signing for us. He can play in a couple of positions, which helps when you have a small squad as we do."
Regarding more signings he made a brief comment; "We are hopeful that a few other deals can be done by Saturday". And so say all of us.
Anthony, sorry can't do Granty yet, how about 'the Judge - see below, is a promising young player at this level, who may even make his debut in Saturday's opening game with Peterborough.
The Moose must be looking over his shoulder but I see another spell of bench warming in the short term unless Tilly decides he can do a job on the left side, either at left back or, dare I say it, on the left side of a diamond formation. (I hope he's seen enough to scrap the latter!)
Anyway, a good start to the day, along with the more positive news from Suffolk, and I promise the sad rants of yesterday are history. A statement from our glorious leader and a couple of more signings and all will be right with the world.
Don't you love football, just 24 little hours.
The Grant Files
Grant made his debut against Manchester United in May 2005, coming on as a last minute substitute for Joe Cole in Chelsea's 3-1 win. His debut at Old Trafford meant he was seen as a long-term replacement for the ageing Claude Makélélé!
Grant, nicknamed 'The Judge', (why, but I like it?), impressed in the reserves to earn a place in the 2004-05 English Champions' first team during the 2005/06 season, for which he had been allocated the squad number 42. In January 2006, Grant was loaned to League One club Oldham Athletic. Grant came on as a late substitute in the first team friendly against Brøndby on the 31st July 2007, this time wearing the number 31 shirt.
Grant was signed by Wycombe Wanderers on a season long loan deal by manager Paul Lambert who previously tried to sign the starlet during his stint at Livingston a year earlier. From an early age he has been renowned for his hard tackling and this resulted in the first sending off in his senior career in the Chairboys' 1-0 defeat to Notts County. On the 23 March 2007 it was revealed that Chelsea have offered Grant a new contract.
In November 2007, Grant was loaned to Luton Town until January 2008. He made his debut coming on as a second half substitute in 1-0 victory over Southend United. On 26th December 2007, Grant was one of three players to be sent off for the Hatters in a remarkable game that saw them hold Bristol Rovers to a 1-1 draw. Grant was given an immediate 3 game ban which put abrupt end to his loan spell as Luton were unable to renew the loan due a transfer embargo being placed on the club as they were administration.
On 31 January 2008, Grant again went out on loan, this time to Southend United of League One before returning in late April having not started a league match.
| Full name | Anthony Grant | |
| Date of birth | June 4, 1987 (1987-06-04) | |
| Place of birth | Lambeth, England | |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | |
| Playing position | Defensive Midfielder | |
| Club information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Current club | Southend | |
| Number | 7 | |
| Senior clubs | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls) |
| 2003- 2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008- | Chelsea → Oldham Athletic (loan) → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) → Luton Town (loan) → Southend United (loan) | 1 (0) 2 (0) 40 (0) 4 (0) 10 (0) |
| National team | ||
| 2002-2003 2003-2004 2005-2006 | England U16 England U17 England U19 | 1 (0) 2 (0) 2 (0) |