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Leeds United: Grella pens new deal
Leeds United striker Mike Grella has agreed a new three-year contract with the club.
The American forward put pen to paper at Elland Road after earning himself a long-term deal to replace the 18-month contract he signed upon joining Leeds from the American college system in February.
The offer was a reward for the 22-year-old's encouraging performances during pre-season, and Grella said: "I'm absolutely delighted.
"It's good to know that the club have instilled a bit of belief and confidence in me. The dream when I came here was to sign a pro contract."
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Grella and his agent met with officials from Leeds yesterday afternoon to finalise the terms of his deal, and he has followed Scottish winger Robert Snodgrass in committing his future to the club.
Snodgrass reached a new four-year agreement with United on the eve of this season, and Leeds have now moved to secure another of the younger players rated highly by manager Simon Grayson.
United's boss recruited Grella on the final day of the winter transfer window at the end of a short and successful trial, handing the striker his first professional deal, and Grella turned down a guaranteed offer from a Major League Soccer club to move to England.
He is still to score his first competitive goal for Leeds but grew in confidence during the summer, and Grayson appears to view him as strong back-up for his first-choice strike pairing of Jermaine Beckford and Luciano Becchio.
Grella is one of senior forwards at Elland Road, a group including Tresor Kandol who scored four times in a 5-1 victory for Leeds' reserves against Newcastle on Tuesday.
Argentinian trialist Mariano Tripodi also featured in the behind-closed-doors friendly at Thorp Arch, but it is understood that Leeds will not be pursuing their interest in him.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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