Liam Grimshaw has loved every minute of his time at Motherwell - but he says he must keep focused on the pitch if he's to extend his Fir Park stay further.
The combative midfielder has made himself a fans' favourite in North Lanarkshire. He initially arrived on loan from Manchester United in 2015, leaving six months later as Preston snapped him up.
Grimshaw returned to Motherwell in August 2017 and he's been with the Fir Park club since.
His latest deal is up next summer and the 26-year-old says his lengthy stint at Fir Park is a rarity in modern football.
"My contract is up at the end of the season," said Grimshaw. "I came out on loan initially, went away for a while, and I think this is my fifth season.
"So it's been a long while! You probably won't see time like that in football nowadays for one reason or another. But I've enjoyed every minute of it here.
"You always have bad times but I've enjoyed pretty much every minute of it. We'll have to see (on a new contract) as that's down to the club.
"I'm focused on what I can do on the pitch, as if I do that, the rest of it will take care of itself hopefully."
Grimshaw is back in midfield under manager Graham Alexander this season, having been deployed at right-back in recent seasons under ex-boss Stephen Robinson.
"I've enjoyed being back in midfield," explained Grimshaw. "I think it really suits my game. One of my key attributes is my running power.
"I've not played midfield for a couple of years so I am still trying to learn and improve on a couple of different things. But I am really enjoying it.
"If you don't have the work ethic at a club like Motherwell, you aren't going to get very far. If you have that, the rest of the stuff sorts itself."
Grimshaw has made nine appearances for the Steelmen this season after battling back from illness which ended his 2020/21 season in January.
The former Manchester United youngster has been an ever-present since his first start away to Dundee in August. Motherwell take on St Mirren tonight in Premiership action, with the side sixth in the table.
"I've been really pleased with how it's gone since I got back to full fitness," added Grimshaw. "I couldn't really ask for much more and the team are doing well too.
"To play a small part in it has been really good. I probably wasn't expecting to be thrown in as early as I was at Dundee but Stephen O'Donnell was ill.
"I've carried on from there and kept my place in the team. I'm just getting back to full fitness now. After having a long time out, it was important to get back fit and healthy.
"Everything else after that is a bonus, really. I've managed to get into the team and stay there too."
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