The 11-times capped wing or centre is seen as one of the major building blocks for Matt Sherratt’s team moving forward and was being hotly pursued by clubs all over Europe.
But the 6’ 5” tall, 111kg star, who has scored 10 times to date in 42 appearances for his home region, has put pen to paper on a new contract. No doubt he will be hoping to underline his renewed commitment to the club by scoring against Ospreys on Saturday at Cardiff City Stadium.
“I was really happy to commit my future to Cardiff. It’s my home club and I’ve got a lot of good friends here who have come through the pathway with me,” said the 22-year-old Grady.
“We’ve got a young and exciting group of players developing at the club and we’ve shown glimpses of our potential this season, despite results not going our way. I’m really enjoying the environment and playing style under Matt Sherratt and I’m eager to see how we can develop and grow as a group.
“I believe this is the best place for me to continue my own development. I’ve learned so much in such a short space of time from the coaches and more experienced players here – now I want to take my game to the next level in Blue & Black.”
As well as being a huge boost for Cardiff fans, who also learned this week that No 8 Alun Lawrence has been given a new deal, it is also good news for Wales head coach Warren Gatland. Had Grady moved to an English or French club he would no longer have been eligible to play for Wales
“Keeping Mason was a really important for us. Retaining our young and exciting talent was essential and we want to build around this core group,” said Sherratt.
Cardiff Rugby
“He has also really developed his game this season, particularly in the centre and has worked hard with the likes of Rey Lee-Lo and Josh Adams to do that.”
Grady joins a host of younger players, like fellow internationals Cam Winnett, Alex Mann, Mackenzie Martin and Evan Lloyd, in committing their long-term futures to the club. They’ve all had good game time this season and Sherratt is hoping to see them blossom in the 2024-25 campaign.
They are all in the mix for this weekend’s Judgement Day clash with the Ospreys – a fixture Cardiff won last year at Principality Stadium to clinch the Welsh Shield. That has already been secured by the Ospreys this season, but their meeting at Cardiff City Stadium will be the biggest Welsh derby of the current campaign.
