South Island United sign Gray for Pro League
- editor59343
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
South Island United has signed experienced defender Christian Gray to complete their squad for the inaugural OFC Pro League.
The 29-year-old is moving to Christchurch after a fairytale season with an all-conquering Auckland City team and making headlines around the globe after his goal secured a famous 1-1 draw against Argentine giants Boca Juniors at the FIFA Club World Cup.
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“Things have been a bit crazy the past season, especially after that goal against Boca,” said Gray, who lost track of the number of interviews he has done with international media after the now legendary header in Nashville, Tennessee.
“I can’t even remember how many interview requests I got from Argentina and my social media just exploded,” says Gray, who topped off a remarkable year with another prominent, extra-time goal in the National League Grand Final last month to force a penalty shoot-out and sign off with another trophy.
The centre back seems to have found his goal-scoring touch in 2025 with six goals across all competitions, after only scoring five goals in previous eight seasons and 120 matches for Waitakere United, Eastern Suburbs and Auckland City.
Gray does not really fancy himself as a remodelled striker and admits there is a lot of good fortune involved scoring those memorable goals.
“So many things have to happen before you score those goals, like David Yoo winning that corner against Boca, and then the ball landing just where I was making my run. I guess it’s a question of right place, right time,” says the modest hero who grew up in Gisborne and moved to Wellington in Year 10 with his parents, former All Whites captain Rodger Gray and former Silver Ferns captain Sandra Edge.
South Island United Chief Executive Ryan Edwards says that attracting Gray was a major coup for the club and a vital piece of putting together a competitive squad.
“Christian will be the oldest player in a relatively young squad and will bring an incredible amount of experience and leadership in the group after playing so many years around the Pacific and the rest of the world,” said Edwards.
“We know he is a class defender and he does seem to chip in with a few goals as well.”
Gray is looking forward to explore his new home town of Christchurch after playing all his senior football in Auckland.
Gray is particularly excited about no longer having to juggle football and study after he somehow managed to complete a teaching degree, while competing at the OFC Champions League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the National League.
“That was pretty demanding with all those games and the travel, so I was pretty shattered at the end of last year,” says Gray who will be part of the playing group who will be living on site at the club’s United Sport Centre.
“I can’t wait to just have to focus on football for the coming months, not having to spend hours in traffic to get to training.”
Gray says the presence of former Auckland City team-mates David Yoo, Haris Zeb and Jackson Manuel will help him settle in, and is looking forward to get to know the rest of the squad.
“It’s a brand-new club, a brand-new team in a brand-new competition, so I am pretty excited being part of this new competition, which I expect to be a big step up from the OFC Champions League.”