SOLIHULL MOORS pair Akwasi Asante and Jamey Osborne have been reunited with former boss Marcus Bignot at Grimsby Town after deals for the duo were finally completed.
Striker Asante and attacking midfielder Osborne had been linked with a move to the League Two outfit since the beginning of the month and Mariners boss Bignot expressed his disappointment at the delay in proceedings.
However, National League side Solihull eventually agreed a fee, which is undisclosed, with last season’s promotion winners for the pair to make the move to Blundell Park.
Amsterdam-born Asante, 24, had been with Moors for 18 months after joining from Kidderminster Harriers in the summer of 2015.
The ex-Birmingham City youngster claimed the club’s golden boot last season, helping fire them to promotion with 17 goals, while he has added another 12 so far this campaign.
Osborne, meanwhile, only joined Solihull in May from local rivals Redditch United. The 24-year-old, from Solihull, made a big impact in his brief time at Damson Park, and was reportedly gaining interest from a number of Football League clubs.
The attacking midfielder scored five times for the Moors this season and while the West Midlands club say they “regrettably” accepted the offers, they claim both players handed in transfer requests to help push through their moves.
A club statement read: “Akwasi Asante and Jamey Osborne have agreed moves to Grimsby Town for an undisclosed fee.
“The pair are set to sign for the Sky Bet League Two play-off chasers tomorrow having both submitted transfer requests in recent weeks.
“Following prolonged interest from a number of Football League clubs, offers were received which eventually matched the club’s valuation of each player and the board of directors has regrettably taken the decision to allow Asante and Osborne to leave to allow the duo the chance to fulfil their desire to play full-time football.
“However, as has been proven with the club’s recruitment in recent months, the board remains committed to ensuring that the Moors are strong enough to maintain our Vanarama National League status and allow Liam McDonald’s young, talented squad to continue their progression.”
McDonald has already moved to strengthen his squad, reportedly bringing in midfielder Ashley Sammons from his former club Hednesford while he has also put in a seven-day approach for Stourbridge full-back Kristian Green.
