Dave Artell's Grimsby Town focus is clear as double transfer news drops | OneFootball

Grimsby Town are adding and being linked with players in their early-to-mid twenties, pointing to an eye on the future as well as the present

Grimsby Town made their first signing of the January transfer window on Sunday, with wide player Darragh Burns joining from League Two rivals MK Dons following the Irishman's successful loan spell in his homeland with Shamrock Rovers.

22-year-old Burns is predominantly a right-sided winger, but can also operate as a wing-back in a 3-5-2 system, something he did with aplomb while with a Rovers side who have reached the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa Conference League, while finishing runners-up in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division (League of Ireland) by two points to champions Shelbourne.

Indeed, the Meath-born man was the subject of a bid from Rovers to make his stay a more permanent one, such was the youngster's form. However, no deal was finalised, which allowed Grimsby boss David Artell to swoop and sign the former Republic of Ireland youth international for an undisclosed fee.

Quick, direct, and with an eye for goal, it's hoped the Irishman can provide that game-changing pace and cutting edge that has been sorely missing at times at Blundell Park.

Burns put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half year contract with the North East Lincolnshire club, and he's not the only player to have been on the Mariners radar.

Hungarian-born midfielder Géza Dávid Turi has been rumoured to be of interest to Artell for some time, and now the 23-year-old, who plays for top Faroe Islands side VÍkingur, has been granted his Faroese passport, those links seem to have strengthened considerably, with journalists hearing from the player himself that the Mariners are his first choice.

Described as a cultured, deep-lying playmaker who is calm in possession and committed in the challenge, the midfield man, on paper at least, ticks all the boxes of a player that suits the manager's preferred possession-based style.

Burns signing and interest in Turi point to one eye on the future by Grimsby

While Grimsby ended 2024 in fine fashion, recent performances and results have been poor and dampened any realistic play-off hopes somewhat.

That's perhaps par for the course right now for an inconsistent, yet ever-evolving Mariners side still getting fully to grips with the way manager Artell prefers to operate against a wide range of opponents and tactical approaches.

There's still plenty of time for Grimsby to string a run of consistent displays together and go on a run that secures a top seven berth, but the evidence so far suggests the Mariners are still a clear work in progress and, perhaps, a year or two behind the genuine fourth-tier contenders.

Therefore, the signing of Burns, the length of the contract, and the firm interest in Turi show a logical eye on the future as well as the present.

Acquiring these players at this juncture gives them time to settle and adapt to the area, their teammates, and the style of play while the Mariners are in a position of relative comfort in mid-table.

By securing Burns, who has scored 21 goals in a combined 127 games for St Patrick's Athletic, MK Dons, and Shamrock Rovers throughout his career so far, assisting the same amount for his teammates in the process, now, it allows the manager to pick and choose how and when to introduce the winger gradually so he can hit the ground running in 2025/26.

They'll hope to do the same with Turi, who will be coming from part-time football, should the move happen. Allowing him a few months to get used to the rigours of the professional game and the fourth-tier would stand him in good stead moving forward.

Grimsby owners deserve credit for their continued investment, both on and off the pitch

The Mariners custodians have been a breath of fresh air from the moment they walked through the door in 2021.

While their predecessors were limited in their willingness to push on and their knowledge of how to do so, current owners Andrew Pettit and Jason Stockwood are the exact opposite.

Quickly improving the training facilities and backroom staff upon their arrival, the Mariners' owners have gone on to make improvements to Blundell Park and the matchday experience for supporters.

In terms of recruitment, they have forged links with analytical organisations, and broadened the club's horizons with a data-led approach.

They've also been willing to pay transfer fees for players throughout their tenure. Speculate to accumulate a little, as such.

The outlay for Burns, and the potential purchase of Turi follow fees paid for Jake Eastwood, Jordan Wright, Toby Mullarkey, Cameron McJannet, Doug Tharme, Kieran Green, Danny Rose, Jason Dadi Svanthórsson, Charles Vernam, John McAtee, Alex Hunt, and Kamil Conteh in the last three-and-a-half years, giving both previous boss Paul Hurst and Artell backing whenever possible.