Ryan Strain (born 2 April 1997) is a professional soccer player who plays as a right back who currently plays for Scottish Premiership club Dundee United. Born in England, he plays for the Australia national team.

Ryan Strain
Personal information
Full name Ryan Strain
Date of birth (1997-04-02) 2 April 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Coventry, England
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11+12 in)
Position(s) Right back
Team information
Current team
Dundee United
Youth career
2013–2014 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015 Modbury Jets 6 (1)
2016–2017 Adelaide United NPL 31 (7)
2017–2021 Adelaide United 82 (0)
2021–2022 Maccabi Haifa 9 (0)
2022–2024 St Mirren 53 (5)
2024– Dundee United 4 (0)
International career
2022– Australia 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 26 October 2023

Club career

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Adelaide United

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On 22 September 2017, Strain signed a 1-year scholarship contract with Adelaide United.[1] 3 months later, he signed a two-year contract extension as a senior player, making him the 30th player to progress from the club's youth team to their senior team.[2]

Maccabi Haifa

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In June 2021, Strain joined Israeli club Maccabi Haifa.[3]

St Mirren

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In June 2022, Strain joined Scottish club St Mirren on a two-year deal, following the expiry of his contract at Israeli side Maccabi Haifa.[4] Ryan left St Mirren in June 2024 at the end of his contract, deciding his future lay elsewhere. His grandfather Gerry Baker played for the Paisley club between 1958 and 1960.[5]

International career

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Youth

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Strain was called up to an Australian under-20 squad in August 2015.[6]

In November 2020, Strain was called up to the Australian under-23 team for friendlies against A-League sides.[7] He made his debut on 17 November 2020 in a practice match against the new expansion A-League club Macarthur FC.[8]

Senior

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Strain was called up to the Australian senior national team in August 2021, for 2022 World Cup qualifiers against China and Vietnam.[9] Strain did not feature in either game, with media reports suggesting that he had injured his hamstring.[10]

Strain was again called up to the Australian squad in September 2022 for two friendly matches against New Zealand in the leadup to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[11] He made his debut for Australia in the second game, a 2–0 win, as a second-half substitute.[12]

After missing out on selection in Australia's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Strain was next called up for Australia for friendly matches against Ecuador in March 2023, following the withdrawal of Aaron Mooy due to injury.[13] He made his second appearance for Australia as a substitute in a loss to Argentina on 15 June 2023.[14] Strain made his first international start in a 1–0 loss to England at Wembley Stadium on 13 October 2023.[15]

Personal life

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Strain is the son of English athlete Lorraine Baker and the grandson of American-born footballer Gerry Baker, who also played for Saint Mirren. [16]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Modbury Jets 2015 NPL SA 6 1 6 1
Adelaide United Youth 2016 9 0 9 0
2017 22 7 22 7
Total 31 8 0 0 0 0 31 8
Adelaide United 2017–18 A-League 16 0 0 0 16 0
2018–19 22 0 4 0 26 0
2019–20 22 0 5 0 27 0
2020–21 21 0 0 0 21 0
Total 81 0 9 0 0 0 90 0
Maccabi Haifa 2021–22 Liga Ha'Al 9 0 1 0 1 0 4[A] 0 15 0
St. Mirren 2022–23 Scottish Premiership 36 4 2 0 3 0 41 4
2023–24 17 1 0 0 6 0 23 1
Total 53 5 2 0 9 0 0 0 64 5
Dundee United 2024–25 Scottish Premiership 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 174 13 12 0 12 0 4 0 200 21
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa Conference League

Honours

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Adelaide United

Maccabi Haifa

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Reds sign trio on scholarships". Adelaide United. 22 September 2017.
  2. ^ "Strain signs two-year extension with United". Adelaide United. 22 December 2017.
  3. ^ "ההגנה מתגבשת: ראיין סטריין סיכם במכבי חיפה" [The defence is coming together: Ryan Strain concluded with Maccabi Haifa]. One (in Hebrew). 23 June 2021.
  4. ^ "St Mirren sign Ryan Strain on two-year deal". www.stmirren.com. St Mirren. 21 June 2022.
  5. ^ "Ryan Strain follows in footsteps of grandfather Gerry Baker by joining St Mirren. Ryan left St. Mirren in May 2024 deciding not to renew his contract". BT Sport. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Strain selected for Young Socceroos camp". Modbury Jets SC. 14 August 2015.
  7. ^ "Ryan Strain called into Olyroos training camp". Adelaide United FC. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  8. ^ Greco, John (17 November 2020). "Australia U-23's secure comeback win over Macarthur FC". Socceroos. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  9. ^ 27 players destined for Doha as Socceroos get set for final phase of AFC Asian Qualifying, Socceroos official website, 28 August 2021
  10. ^ Jackson, Ed (4 September 2021). "No time to relax for Arnie's Socceroos". Retrieved 19 October 2021. Fullback Ryan Strain is also understood to be battling a hamstring niggle.
  11. ^ Ramage, Ben (14 September 2022). "Keanu Baccus and Ryan Strain urged to grab World Cup opportunity after St Mirren duo bag Australia call-up". Daily Record. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  12. ^ Ramage, Ben (28 September 2022). "Australia boss delivers key message to St Mirren World Cup hopefuls Keanu Baccus and Ryan Strain". Daily Record. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
  13. ^ Ramage, Ben (20 March 2023). "Ryan Strain earns Australia chance as St Mirren defender joins Keanu Baccus on international duty". Daily Record. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  14. ^ "Saints pair feature as Socceroos defeated by Messi-inspired Argentina". BBC Sport. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  15. ^ Gibson, Tim (14 October 2023). "Strain makes memorable starting debut against old pals". Socceroos. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  16. ^ "Reds winger Ryan Strain lifted the FFA Cup 60 years after his grandfather won the Scottish Cup". foxsports.com.au. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
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