'Draining': Socceroos hopeful Alex Grant reflects on China stint

After finding out he was no longer wanted by his Chinese club on social media, Alex Grant is hoping a return to the A-League Men can get his career back on track and rekindle his dream of becoming a Socceroo.

The 31-year-old defender has signed with Sydney FC until the end of the current ALM season after leaving Tianjin Jinmen Tiger.

Grant’s switch to China followed a successful stint in South Korea with Pohang Steelers.

But as the former Perth Glory defender explains, his stay in China would last all of 11 games.

“My year had started really well (in China) and we were flying - second in the league which for the club I was at was over-achieving,” Grant told AAP.

“I picked up a niggling injury, was out for a few weeks, came back in and although it persisted I felt I could play for the rest of the year.

“But the club kind of took it out of my hands by deregistering me in June which I found out about on social media.

“The culture there, I understand it, it’s slightly different and they’re not really forward - they won’t pull you to one side and tell you things (straight).

“That’s just how it goes, when you’re on the wrong end of it and it’s not a nice pill to swallow so it was a difficult period for me.”

Grant - an experienced centre back - spent his final few months in China training out of position.

“Because you’re not in their plans, you’re playing up front or playing on the wing (against the first XI),” he said.

“It’s mentally draining as well because you’re in an environment which is challenging with the language because you’re relying on your interpreter.”

The sour ending to Grant’s time in China followed an enjoyable stint in South Korea.

During three seasons with Pohang he won the Korean Cup and played in the final of the Asian Champions League.

Was he surprised that a Socceroos call-up never came?

“It’s something I’ve always wanted but it’s just never eventuated,” Grant said.

“I probably did feel I was at a level where I was playing consistently well at a high level.

“It just comes down to opinions and I can’t argue with it, I’m not bitter about it but I won’t rule it out.”

Grant’s return to Australia where he is expected to slot straight into the Sydney backline will put him firmly on the radar of Tony Popovic.

With injuries to Harry Souttar and Alessandro Circati, it will only help Grant’s cause that he already knows the Socceroos manager from his time at Perth.

“I still call him ‘the boss’, I respect him a lot,” Grant said.

“Playing under him with Perth I felt I developed a lot and learned from Hayden Foxe, who was his assistant then and is now.

“I felt this (move to Sydney) was the right choice for me and coming back to Australia ticks a lot of boxes.

“I am happy to be back in an environment where somebody wants me.”