First Team
THE TANGERINE ARMY | PARTICK THISTLE (H)
27th April 2024
Dundee United are delighted to announce the signing of New Zealand international Alex Greive from cinch Premiership side St Mirren on a short-term loan deal, subject to SFA approval.
Hailing from Auckland, Greive honed his footballing talents as a youngster with various youth clubs based in and around the local area, then began his senior career aged just 15 with second-tier Birkenhead United.
A move to the United States followed, as he entered the American college football system via a scholarship with Northern Kentucky University. Greive excelled stateside, boasting a prolific strike rate in the NCAA First Division.
After finishing his studies, the tenacious frontman returned to his homeland to ply his trade with Waitakere United, and latterly Birkenhead United once again. In 2021, Greive netted 19 goals in as many games to claim the Northern League’s Golden Boot award and fire his side into the top flight.
His scintillating form saw Birkenhead United’s partner club, St Mirren, take notice and, then under the guise of Jim Goodwin, the Buddies snapped up the starlet in January 2022.
Coincidentally, Greive would make his St Mirren bow at Tannadice mere hours after putting pen to paper on his contract, and has since gone on to make over half a century of appearances in black and white.
Part of the side which achieved the Paisley outfit’s first top-six finish since the inception of the split, his participation in European top-flight football would also bring international recognition for the New Zealander.
No other player in St Mirren history has made more appearances on the international stage whilst at the club than Greive - with ten caps to his name for the All Whites.
This term, the 24-year-old has turned out no fewer than 18 times in the Premiership, notably rippling the net against both Hibernian and Aberdeen in August, as he arrives at Tannadice ready to make an instant impact.
Late drama at Easter Road ????
— SPFL (@spfl) August 7, 2023
Alex Greive sending the away end into raptures! #cinchPrem | @saintmirrenfc pic.twitter.com/VCYsNgROiu
'GOOD MOVEMENT AND AN INFECTIOUS WORKRATE'
Completing the signing of Greive for a second time in his managerial career, United boss Goodwin expressed his satisfaction in bolstering his frontline for the run-in, saying: “Alex is a very intelligent player with good movement and an infectious workrate.
“He keeps a cool head in front of goal and will enjoy playing in our team given the number of chances we create on a consistent basis, complimenting the strikers we already have at the club.
"I'm looking forward to working closely with him again, and I am confident he will play a key role in helping us achieve our objectives for the season."
'I'm Very Excited'
Alex himself added: "I’m very excited to join a football club the size of Dundee United.
“The team have made a great start to the season - this was part of the attraction. Hopefully, I can aid the efforts to build on that by contributing at the top end of the pitch.”
He continued: “I’m looking forward to working with the manager again and helping the club get back to the top flight where they belong."
