Brentford Complete Grella Signing

Brentford have signed American Mike Grella after he agreed a mutual termination of his contract with Leeds United.

The length of the 24-year-old striker's deal at Griffin Park is undisclosed.

Grella, who has represented his country at Under-20 level, signed for Leeds in 2009 but has recently had loan spells at Carlisle United and Swindon Town.

"We are delighted to have Mike on board," said Brentford sporting director Mike Warburton.

"He is a proven goal scorer and we are all looking forward to seeing him perform in a Brentford shirt."

The news of Grella's signing comes following Charlie MacDonald's departure to MK Dons.

Leeds win behind-closed-doors game

Mike Grella scored twice and Andy O'Brien completed another 45 minutes as Leeds United beat Leicester City in a behind-closed-doors game at Thorp Arch on Tuesday.United fielded a team largely consisting of young professionals and reserve team/under-18 manager Neil Redfearn watched his young charges win 3-0.
"It was a cracking game," said Neil. "Both teams had a couple of experienced pros in there, but the majority of the players were young lads and it really was a great game."The score might have been 3-0, but it could have gone either way. It really was a good game."Grella scored United's opener before half-time when, in almost identical fashion to Paddy Kisnorbo's goal against Newcastle on Sunday, he capitalised on a goalkeeping error at a corner.Sanchez Payne scored United's second after the break and Grella made it 3-0 when he converted a Will Hatfield cross.
"It was a really close affair for long periods," added Neil. "I was pleased with the kids because they looked strong and some of the passing was top drawer."

Lonergan Gets No 1 Jersey

Andy Lonergan looks like being number one choice goalkeeper at Elland Road after the club released the squad numbers list for the new season.Lonergan only arrived last week and played the full ninety minutes in Leeds 3-2 win over Newcastle United on Sunday to give the first indication of who would be the number one.Lonergan has been allocated the number one jersey whilst Rachubka will wear the number twelve.Youngster Cairns has also been allocated a shirt, the only player of the first year professionals from the academy to be awarded one.Cairns will wear the number thirty when called upon by the team.New summer signing Michael Brown will wear the number eight shirt.
Transfer listed Mike Grella and Federico Bessone have also been allocated numbers, wearing number thirteen and twenty-one respectively.Leeds have named twenty-four players in their first team squad with only number six still vacated from the old traditional one to eleven.

Leeds Lose To Bradfod PA

A Leeds United XI tasted defeat at Bradford Park Avenue on Wednesday evening.
New signing Andy Lonergan made his debut in a game which saw the home side emerge victorious 2-1, but the former Preston goalkeeper made a couple of good second half saves, including one terrific effort to deny the hosts a third goal.
Hungarian trialist Boldiszar Bodor also featured in a Leeds side that included Mike Grella, making his first appearance of the summer, and a number of the club's young professionals.
It was a disappointing showing from United in the first period, and the home side were two goals to the good before the break. Aiden Savory scored the first with a long distance strike before Richard Marshall capitalised on a pull-back to make it 2-0.
Leeds looked much better after the break and Dominic Poleon was twice denied before Grella's mazy run ended with his shot being forced for a corner.
United did a pull a goal back when Poleon showed good strength to hold off the challenge of two defenders before touching the ball home, but it took two good saves from Lonergan to deny the home side a third goal during the closing stages.

Bench-warming not for Grella

MIKE Grella chose to return to Leeds after being benched by Swindon boss Paul Hart for recent games, the striker has explained on his Twitter page.The 24-year-old American was signed until the end of the season by former manager Danny Wilson at the end of February.Grella was initially a regular starter under Hart and scored his only goal for the club in the 1-1 home draw with Dagenham & Redbridge on March 12.
But he was dropped to bench for the match at Exeter and was then named among the substitutes for the last home game with Hartlepool.Consequently, Grella told Hart on Friday that he wished to return to Elland Road, citing a lack of first team football as his reason to want to leave.“I’ve decided to come back to Leeds because under the new management I wasn’t getting games,” he wrote on his Twitter page.“My reason for joining Swindon was to help them and to also get games in.“I want to say thanks to the Swindon fans for everything and know that I have a great respect for the club and all the people involved.“I hope they stay up because they have a great group of lads and the club deserves to be up higher.”

Grella hopes to use Robins stint to prove his worth Leeds

MIKE Grella has, by his own admission, endured a frustrating time at Leeds United but remains determined to prove his worth to the Elland Road side during his loan spell at Swindon.

The 24-year-old American has failed to hold down a regular place in the first team for the Championship outfit since moving from across the Atlantic two years ago, and has spent the vast majority of this season away from West Yorkshire with spells at Carlisle and now Town.

Grella was highly regarded back in his home country and won numerous awards at youth level, but he has found the English game to be very different to what he was used to and conceded that he is still learning every time he steps out onto the pitch.

The striker has been in good form for Town since joining towards the end of last month, forming one third of a forward line that also includes Calvin Andrew and Matt Ritchie.

And Grella is enjoying the run of regular football, despite being part of a side scrapping for League One survival. However, he admitted he still hopes to force his way into the reckoning back at Leeds.

“It has been good (at Swindon),” he told the Advertiser. “It is frustrating at Leeds a bit, but I love it there. They are probably one of the best clubs in England to play for at the moment and I wouldn't pick another one.

“I had a good loan spell at Carlisle and I am enjoying myself here at the moment, it is good getting games.

“The English game in general is very strong, physical and quick. When I first came it took me a couple of months to adapt but I think I am now starting to understand the game.

“Every footballer continues to learn and continues to adapt to the different games but it has been good. Hopefully I can carry this on.”

Next up for Town and Grella is the trip to leaders Brighton, who boast a formidable home record of 14 wins, four draws and no defeats. But the Robins showed that they will not be overawed by an opponent that, on paper at least, are favourites for victory - having held second-placed Huddersfield to a goalless draw last Saturday.

And Grella believes it is best for the Town players not to set targets ahead of each game and instead just go out with the aim of playing to the best of their ability.

“I was snooping around the internet the other day and I saw that Brighton had not lost at home yet,” he added.

“In terms of expectations, to be honest I would not go there expecting three points, but I also don't expect to go there and get no points.

“We just need to do what we have to do, play the system we put out there and work really hard for each other.

“I think we are more than capable of getting a result, the only expectations from me and the guys is just to do what we are supposed to and then I feel the result will come.”

Swindon Town sign Mike Grella on loan

Swindon Town have signed Leeds United striker Mike Grella on an emergency loan until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old American has spent time on loan at the Robins' League One rivals Carlisle United this season - scoring three goals in 11 appearances.
Grella, who helped Leeds gain promotion from League One last season, has already spent a term on loan at Carlisle United this season.
He goes straight into Swindon's squad for Saturday's trip to Southampton.
Leeds boss Simon Grayson said: "Mike has found his opportunities limited this season.
"He got some games at Carlisle which did him good and we see this as another opportunity for him to play regular football."
Grella almost joined Scottish Premier League side Motherwell in January only for the move to fall through because he made two substitute appearances for the Whites this season.
He has only been given dispensation to play for Swindon as it is an emergency loan.
The player joins former Leeds players Jonathan Douglas, Dave Lucas, David Prutton and Alan Sheehan at the County Ground.