DURHAM, N.C.—Former Duke University striker Mike Grella signed a permanent contract today, Feb. 2, with Leeds United of League One in England. Today was the deadline for clubs to make additions and changes in player personnel.

The Blue Devil star had joined the club on a trial basis and made an immediate impact, scoring three goals in his debut with the reserves against Barnsley last week. In reports from Leeds United, Grella was being monitored by a host of English scouts and has attracted interest from a number of clubs in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Grella was a four-year standout for Duke, capturing All-America recognition as both a junior and a senior. The 2008 ACC Offensive Player of the Year, Grella became the 16th player in Duke history to earn All-America first team honors and the first since 2005. He is a three-time first team All-ACC honoree and paced the Blue Devil offense over the past three seasons. The Glen Cove, N.Y. native led all scorers this past season with 14 goals and eight assists for 36 points.

A two-time Hermann Trophy Semifinalist, Grella is the first Duke player to earn the Offensive Player of the Year award from the ACC since its inception in 2004 and is the fourth Blue Devil to earn an ACC Player of the Year award since the beginning of the ACC in 1970. He also joined elite company this season as he became the eighth player in Duke soccer history to earn first-team honors three consecutive seasons.

As a junior, Grella was voted a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top player, and captured All-American Third Team recognition. He led all Blue Devils with 26 points from 10 goals and six assists that season. For his career, Grella has 41 goals and 27 assists to his name for 109 points. He closes out his career ranked seventh in career goals and eighth in points. He helped guide Duke to a 51-25-7 record in four seasons, ACC Championships in 2005 and 2006 and four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Grella tallied the game-winning goals in ACC Tournament championship games in 2005 and 2006.

Leeds United was scheduled to play its next game, tomorrow, Feb. 3 against Leyton Orient, but the game has been postponed due to the recent snowfall. They play at home next on Feb. 9 at 2:45 p.m. EST. The club currently sits in seventh place in the 24-team field.