22 Facts About Vince Grella

Vincenzo Grella was born on 5 October 1979 and is an Australian former footballer who played as a midfielder.

Vince Grella moved to Blackburn Rovers of the Premier League in 2008 where he spent four seasons, before returning to Australia in 2012 to play for Melbourne Heart.

Vince Grella retired from professional football in January 2013, after a long-standing struggle with injuries.

Vince Grella represented the Australian national team on 46 occasions, and played at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

Vince Grella had a ten-year stint in Italy's professional leagues after beginning his career in the NSL.

Vince Grella has been a regular for Australia since 2003, playing in his customary defensive midfield position, and was involved in both the 2006 World Cup and the 2007 Asian Cup.

Vince Grella has described Bresciano as "even more than a brother"; they played together at the AIS, Carlton and Empoli, and were reunited in 2004 when Vince Grella joined Parma, before Bresciano moved on to Palermo in 2006.

Aged 19, Vince Grella made his debut in Serie A with Empoli, in a match against Juventus at the Stadio Delle Alpi, where his first job was to mark Zinedine Zidane.

On 20 June 2007, Vince Grella signed a three-year contract with Torino, one of several new signings made by The Bull.

Vince Grella scored one league goal for Torino, a powerful volley from the edge of the penalty area, which cannoned in off the far post to draw level with Fiorentina.

Vince Grella joined fellow Australian Brett Emerton at the club.

Previously, Vince Grella stated he announced his intention to return to Italy next season, rather go back to his home country.

Vince Grella made his A-League debut for the Melbourne City on Australia Day, 26 January 2013 against the Western Sydney Wanderers at the Parramatta Stadium as a 68th minute replacement for Jonatan Germano.

Vince Grella officially announced his retirement two days later due to a torn calf that he picked up in his one match for Melbourne City.

In November 2005, Vince Grella played in both legs of the World Cup play-off against Uruguay, where Australia qualified for the 2006 World Cup for the first time in 32 years.

On 13 November 2006, Vince Grella was selected as captain for an international friendly in London against Ghana, making him the 51st player to captain the Australia football team.

On 21 July 2007 in Hanoi, Vietnam, Vince Grella was sent off in the 76th minute of Australia's 2007 Asian Cup quarter-final against Japan.

Vince Grella has currently amassed 46 caps for Australia since making his debut back in February 2003.

In July 2022, Vince Grella moved back to Italy, after being named vice-president and CEO of Sicilian Serie D club Catania following the club's rebirth under an Australian ownership with Pelligra Group.

Vince Grella was a key figure in the sale and will play a role in running the club.

Vince Grella and his wife, Barbara, have twin daughters, Victoria and Sophia, born in 2002.

Vince Grella first met Barbara while she was working in a shoe store in Empoli, Italy, which Vince Grella frequently visited to buy shoes following their first meeting.