The American spent two-and-a-half years with Leeds United.
Former Leeds man Mike Grella sat down for an exclusive interview with The Players Tribune, and suggested how proud he was to represent the west Yorkshire club, highlighting how the attention that he received really was surreal.
Grella, now 31, joined the Whites on a trial basis in January 2009, before signing for the club permanently at the end of the month, and he went on to make 42 senior appearances in all competitions, before leaving for Brentford in 2011.
Leeds have come on leaps and bounds since the American’s days at Elland Road, an they are now many fans’ and pundits’ favourites to gain promotion back to the Premier League.
That isn’t to say that the left midfielder didn’t enjoy his time at the club, however.
Grella spoke exclusively to The Players Tribune, and highlighted how much he enjoyed representing Leeds:
“I trained with the team for two weeks before playing in a reserve game in which I scored a hat trick. After that, Leeds United wanted to sign me. I was very proud and excited to sign my first professional contract with Leeds. Some of England’s most legendary players have gone to battle on that pitch. I remember showing up to Elland Road for my first game with the senior side. Lining the entrance to the car park was a crowd of at least 3,000 fans welcoming the players into the stadium. There I was, a kid from Long Island, getting asked for autographs outside one of England’s most famous stadiums. It was … surreal.”
Grella now plies his trade in the MLS with Columbus Crew, but it seems as though he still looks back on his time at Elland Road with real fondness.
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