Mike Grella (born 23 January 1987) is an American football player of Italian heritage who plays for Leeds United in Football League One in England as a striker. He is a United States under-20 international.

Grella was born in in Glen Cove, New York and had a highly successful youth career. He was a 2003 and 2004 Parade Magazine High School All American soccer player and the 2004 NSCAA National High School Player of the Year for the Glen Cove Big Red. He led his club team, the Albertson Red Storm, to both the 2003 and 2004 USYSA National Championships and the Red Storm Academy to the 2004 Super Y-League Championship. Grella played college soccer for Duke University where he was a 2008 first team All American.

During the 2006-07 collegiate offseason, he played for the Long Island Rough Riders in the fourth division USL Premier Development League. In 2008, he played for the Cary RailHawks U23's.

In February 2009, he was drafted in the third round (34th overall) of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC. However, Grella decided against signing for the Canadian club, and instead tried his luck at playing in Europe. Grella went on trial with Leeds United in January 2009, and scored a hat-trick for the club's reserves on the 21st of that month against Barnsley FC ^[1] He also scored a goal in a behind closed doors game, with news of a permanent deal pending, He signed a full-time contract for Leeds United on transfer deadline day, 2 February 2009, until the end of the 2009–10 season.^[2]

He made his Leeds debut on February 14, 2009, after coming on as a 74th minute substitute for Lee Trundle in a 1–0 defeat to Huddersfield Town.^[3] His first season in professional football was mainly spent making short cameos as a substitute during Leeds fight for promotion. He came on late in Leeds' playoff semi final against Millwall but was unable to grab a goal so far during his first team appearances for Leeds.

Grella scored his first senior goal for Leeds in a Pre-Season friendly against Burnley. On 10th August 2009 he was voted Man Of The Match in a Carling Cup match against Darlington although he didn't score. He signed a new long term contract with Leeds and is expected to be a very good prospect by the Elland Road management.

Grella had to wait just over seven months for his first league start. Replacing the injured Jermaine Beckford in the starting line up for the visit of Stockport County to Elland Road on 5th September 2009, it took him just eight minutes to score his first league goal, curling in an opportunistic effort from the edge of the penalty area.^[4]

With 7 subs required for the 2009-10 season Grella has found himself used mainly as a substitute in games, coming on as a substitute to try make an impact in games.

Grella scored for Leeds after coming on as a late substitute in the 2-0 FA Cup win against Oldham. He repeated this FA Cup goalscoring form on 8th December 2009 in the FA Cup replay against Kettering Town, coming on as a substitute during the second period of extra time. Grella's introduction changed the pace of the game (which had previously been 1-1), as he scored twice as Leeds won the game 5-1, taking his tally to four for Leeds. Grella started for Leeds in the JPT game against Accrington Stanley.

He has represented the United States at both under-18 and under-20 level. He holds both US and Italian passports. Grella admitted he was looking to be called up by the full USA national side, and was hoping to break into the World Cup squad, but he said his lack of playing time at Leeds has made the opportunity of a call up very slim.

He spends his time off with his family back in Glen Cove, NY. His mother is Grazia Grella, his Father is Michael Grella Sr. and his brother is Frank Grella.

• Mike Grella at Soccerbase
• Duke Blue Devils Player Profile