Andre Grey: Something to prove | OneFootball

After signing his first professional contract in June 2024, Andre Grey is now making his mark with Brentford B.

Currently in Portugal for the Atlantic Cup, the versatile midfielder is embracing the challenge of international competition as he continues to develop under the guidance of Neil MacFarlane.

While this is his first time at the Atlantic Cup, Grey has had similar experiences in the past.

“It’s been a good experience training in nice facilities, we came to Portugal in October and played against two first teams, so I’m happy to be back here,” he said.

“I have experienced something similar to this before when I went to China with Crystal Palace’s academy. We played against a lot of different teams, and I remember doing quite well there, it really helped me develop as a player.”

Grey’s journey at Brentford began in 2023 when he was one of 12 new players brought into the club’s Under-18s squad.

Initially joining on a one-year scholarship, he signed a professional contract in June 2024, with a club option for an additional year. However, his first season was far from smooth sailing.

“It was quite a hard first season for me,” Grey admitted.

“I was injured for a long period - from September to February - and was in and out of training. I originally came in as a centre-back, but during the season I moved into midfield, which I feel is my preferable position.”

Once he regained full fitness, Grey flourished. His leadership qualities came to the fore as he captained Brentford U18s on several occasions, playing a crucial role in their Merit League 2 title winning campaign.

He continued: “I finished the season well and went on to captain the side a few times, so it ended well, but I’m hoping to push on now.”

With an eye on breaking into the B team, Grey trained with the squad on a few occasions last season. His performances caught the eye of MacFarlane, particularly in a behind-closed-doors game against Bromley.

“I trained with the B team on rare occasions last season, which was very good for me,” he said.

“Training with more experienced players at a higher intensity meant I had to step up. I remember playing a behind-closed-doors game against Bromley and being quite happy with my performance.”

During pre-season ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, Grey was determined to impress with the hopes= of solidifying a place in the B team.

Alongside team-mates Kerron Samuels and Yaw Agyei, who also played in the U18s the previous season, he navigated the transition with the help of more senior players.

“Whenever you move into a new environment, you want to prove you can fit into the team. Pre-season was a good start and I was able to settle in quite well,” Grey said.

“Players like Ashley Hay, who has gone out on loan now, were really helpful. Riley Owen, who plays in the same position as me, is someone I look up to as a midfielder, so he was a great player to learn from.”

Since stepping up to the Brentford B squad, Grey has steadily built his experience, with notable performances including a full 90-minute outing in a 4-0 win over Bristol City in December, followed by a strong showing in a 3-0 victory over Cardiff City U21s.

Speaking on his performances so far, he said: “My first full 90 minutes with the B team came against Bristol City in December, then I played 70 minutes against Cardiff. They were good performances and we won both games.”

As the Atlantic Cup progresses, Grey is focused on making the most of the opportunity.

The competition provides a valuable platform for players like him to gain exposure against high-quality opposition.

“The weather has been hot, but we are still working hard and training has been good,” Grey said.

“I want to get as many minutes as possible out here, and it would be nice to get a goal or maybe an assist.”