LES TROIS ILETS, Martinique — It was not an easy decision for Joel Grant to walk away from Exeter City FC, but the experienced English campaigner knows when it is time to move on.

The Jamaica international only days ago agreed to undisclosed terms with Exeter City’s Devon rivals Plymouth Argyle, a move that has angered Exeter fans.

Grant, who can play as a winger, midfielder and a striker, was the darling at his previous club to the extent that in the 2015-2016 season fans chipped in to the tune of £30,000 to help pay his wages at the League Two outfit.

“I must be thankful to those fans and I am grateful to the club as I have enjoyed my time with the club and got close to achieving one of my targets which was a promotion. It wasn’t a simple decision, but one I’m looking forward to now,” he noted.

“I am very grateful to Exeter City staff, fans and players, but I don’t feel I always got the opportunities to show what I could do, along with the opportunity of being back in League One and at the persuasion of the manager, I felt it was the right time to move on,” Grant added.

But Plymouth, who recently gained promotion to English League One, became an irresistible option for the 29-year-old England-born Reggae Boy.

“Despite being settled at Exeter we were unable to come to an agreement, so Plymouth became an option and the manager (Derek Adams) made me feel wanted,” Grant told the Jamaica Observer from England last Saturday.

The former Watford man says he intends to give his all to his new club Plymouth, in the very same way he had committed to their cross-county rivals Exeter.

“As a professional I have always given my best for any club I am with. Although I am now with the rivals, my aim is the same. This move means a lot to me, not just because it’s the rival team, but because the manager and his staff feel I can make a difference,” Grant said.

“I feel Plymouth is a club that has potential to move forward again, and of course if that happens, things could run smoothly.”

Grant, who also had stints with lower league Crewe Alexandra and Yeovil Town, reminded that he is still committed to Jamaica’s football and stands ready to help the team of his ancestral home.

“I have always been fully committed to playing for my country and only hope that this move will help boost my chances,” he said.

Grant, who has also represented Jamaica at the Under-20 and Under-23 levels, has made some 14 appearances for the senior Boyz with two goals to his name. He was also a member of the Jamaica squad that created history by reaching the CONCACAF Gold Cup final in 2015.

Mexico were crowned champions in Philadelphia after defeating Jamaica 3-1.

— Sean Williams