Subway Socceroos defender Ryan Strain has signed a two-year contract with newly promoted Scottish Premiership club Dundee United after his contract with St Mirren expired. The 27-year-old’s inclusion to Jim Goodwin’s team is a huge coup for the Terrors, as Strain will remain in the Scottish Premiership for at least another two seasons. The Australian international, who has six caps, spent the previous two seasons with the Paisely-based club, where he made 64 appearances, scored five goals, and assisted ten times across all competitions.
Prior to moving to Scotland, the right-back spent four years with Adelaide United in the Isuzu UTE Men’s A-League before joining Maccabi Haifa in Israel. Following his signing, United’s manager complimented Strain’s abilities: “The signing of Ryan is a coup for the club, and I’m thrilled to get the deal done.” “Over the last two seasons, he has been one of the country’s greatest performers in his position; his set-piece delivery is first-rate, he seldom loses a defensive duel, and he has an infectious work ethic. Furthermore, he has experience on both the European and international stages that he can share with the rest of the dressing room.”
Strain was a member of Graham Arnold’s latest June FIFA Window team, playing the entire 90 minutes in a 2-0 victory against Bangladesh and coming on as an unused replacement against Palestine in Perth. He is the third Socceroo in recent history to play at Tannadice Park, following Aziz Behich and Mark Birighitti.
