Alex Greive (San Antonio FC | US)

As posted elsewhere now with Unattached FC

Re the Nix and Jan transfer window, he seems a bit like a younger, poorer? version of David Ball. High work rate but not many goals 

https://x.com/bfcdublin/status/1873439876626223138

Probably wrong about this but I get AFC signing him vibes here

I would take Alex Greive at the Nix in a heartbeat. I think he's talented and has been a bit unlucky overseas. Would give him a shot, for sure.

AFC have Gillion, Rogerson, Moreno, Toomey & Randall. Grieve would need to compete with all of them for game time. If Auckland need anything they need centre back & central midfield depth with the injury struggles they have in those positions. Grieve would only be competing with Ishige, (a never fit) Rojas, Walker, LBS & Piper for minutes as it seems that Ball & OVH have been completely discarded by Chiefy. If I was Grieve I know which of the two I'd choose. 

RR

Probably wrong about this but I get AFC signing him vibes here

Lads, he's off to the states in the new year, so put those pipe dreams back in the box. 😅

Fwiw, I would have taken him at the Nix too.

Makes some sense. Went to a US College 

USL? That’s the end of his AWs selection prospects for awhile if so

Obviously too late probably but I agree if I was at the Nix I'd fight tooth and nail to get him. He's kiwi and has a reason to stick around for multiple seasons, young and and talented player when given the right service.

Done deal.
Confirmed to USL Championship side San Antonio FC.

Alex Greive is answering the call! 📞

SAFC has signed forward Alex Greive to a multi-year deal. The New Zealand international brings proven goal scoring & experience from the Scottish Premiership to the club. Let’s show Alex a warm SAFC welcome! 🖤❤️

📰https://t.co/nqaFYhoGPQ pic.twitter.com/cGSGHTBqPZ

— San Antonio FC (@SanAntonioFC) January 9, 2025

A very good level (better than Ireland in my opinion) but unless he has an outrageously good season, then he'll likely find himself sitting just outside of All White's contention.

From what I could tell he didn’t thrive in Ireland but as you say this seems like a step up. Unsure how that works but hope he can hit some form.

loyalgunner

From what I could tell he didn’t thrive in Ireland but as you say this seems like a step up. Unsure how that works but hope he can hit some form.

I'd say he didn't thrive in Ireland purely because of the style of play. While he hustles and harries and runs all day long out of possession, to get the best out of him offensively he needs to be playing off the shoulder of a typical #9 where he'd be working off knock downs and second phase stuff. 

He makes good runs and is more than good enough with the ball at his feet. But because he's not a big physical presence, playing with the ball in the air is not going to suit him (circa 20% aerial duel success during his time in Scotland/Ireland). Balls on the ground via build up play and off knockdowns or flick-ons are more his bread and butter. He's not rapid, but he's no slouch either, so if he can get that ball on the ground and at his feet at San Antonio then I think he'll find success over there.

Had 2 years at college in Kentucky so off field will fit in the US quickly as well

But yeah suspect his AWs days are over unless ever need a below full strength squad, or he scores an absolute heap of goals in the USL

Greive on the bench.

Alex Greive - San Antonio’s Newest All White, Via St. Mirren, Dundee Uni... https://t.co/fWUOMg18mh via @YouTube

— The Back Stick Podcast (@thebackstickpod) March 25, 2025

Good chat with Alex Grieve - chatting life in the States, his time in Scotland & Ireland and remains hopeful to be picked in an AW's shirt again one day, perhaps even for 2026, although he's under no illusion of the challenge in front of him.