After battling injuries for the majority of the last two MLS seasons, former New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew SC winger Mike Grella announced his retirement from pro soccer on Saturday on his Instagram account.
Grella, who turned 32 last month, was a consistent fixture in the Red Bulls sides that won back-to-back Eastern Conference regular season championships in 2015 and 2016, as well as the 2015 Supporters' Shield.
But a knee injury ruled him out of the majority of the 2017 campaign, and while he returned after an offseason move to the Crew to make 12 appearances, further setbacks kept him from regaining momentum.
Columbus declined Grella's contract option following the 2018 season.
Prior to his four-year stint in MLS, the Long Island native had a lengthy European career in England and Denmark.
