McGREE LEAVES BIRMINGHAM FOR MLS

English Championship outfit Birmingham City were keen to keep Riley McGree at the club beyond this winter transfer window but the player was keen to leave for the MLS (Major League Soccer). In the end, Birmingham City lost the battle to keep the 23-year-old Australia midfielder.

Australia national team player McGree leaves Birmingham City after a 14-month loan spell from MLS side Charlotte FC.McGree signed for Charlotte FC in October 2020 before he was loaned to the Blues in the following month. The Australia player has been at Birmingham City in November 2020. The Blues wanted to keep McGree beyond the end of the loan on January 1, 2022.

McGree signed for Charlotte FC after the 2019/20 Australian A-league season. At the time, Charlotte FC had already been confirmed as an MLS expansion franchise, but they had not played MLS football. The Australian star initially joined the English Championship club on a season-long loan deal before it was extended for some months at the request of Birmingham City manager Lee Bowyer. The Ex-Newcastle United and Leeds United midfielder wanted a permanent deal for the player but he was unable to get his wish.

In a chat with the Birmingham Mail, Lee Bowyer revealed that the club was trying to extend the midfielder’s stay at the club. According to him, Riley is loving life at the St. Andrew’s Stadium and that he trains with a smile on his face everyday. He went on to say that they can only they can only try as much as possible for the Australia midfielder to stay at the club and that the contract is the contract.

Bowyer would later say that Riley is an important player for Charlotte FC from what he gathered and that the player might likely not stay at the club.