Ryan Strain, having seen his first light of day on the 2nd of April in 1997 (age 28), boasts of English roots. A formidable defender chiefly playing as a right-back, Strain currently forms a cornerstone of Dundee United's defence. With a height and weight registering at 1.81m (5ft 11in) and 76kg (11st 13lb), respectively, he strikes an imposing figure on the pitch. Strain bears the number 2 on his jersey and has had the honour of representing the Australia national team.
Economic valuations of players often waver, with Strain's current market value rounding to about €600k, according to Transfermarkt, or roughly £510k when translated to the currency of our sceptred isle. His present contract with Dundee United is programmed to last another 1 year and 2 months, with the final date penned as 31 May 2026.
Strain's journey into professional football notably started in July 2017, when he signed with Adelaide United in Australia's A-League. He steadily built his experience, logging 16, 22, 22, and 19 appearances in four subsequent seasons from 2017 to 2021.
After proving his mettle down under, he made a move to Maccabi Haifa in Israel's Premier League in July 2021, in a transfer deal that cost an estimated £270k. Over the 2021-2022 season, he made 9 appearances in league matches.
July 2022 marked Strain's arrival in the Scottish Premiership. Dons of St Mirren procured his talents from Maccabi Haifa. Over two seasons (2022-2023 and 2023-2024), Strain made an appreciable impact on the Scottish turf, appearing 36 times and notching four goals in the first season, and then making 17 appearances and scoring once in the next.
Perhaps it was his form at St Mirren, or some other divine intervention, that caught Dundee United's eye. In July 2024, Strain was transferred from St Mirren to Dundee United. During the current 2024-2025 season, Strain has already registered 24 appearances for Dundee United.
Beyond his league business, Strain has shown up 2 times in the League Cup 2024-2025 for Dundee United, made a single starting appearance in the Scottish Cup 2024-2025, and twice represented Australia starting in the World Cup Qualifiers Asia 2024-2026.
