EVANSVILLE, Ind. - After a stint with Nashville S.C. last season, University of Evansville men's soccer alum Ian McGrath has taken his talents internationally, signing a contract with Queen of the South F.C. of the Scottish Championship.

"Everyone at the University of Evansville is delighted for Ian.  He was a great student-athlete and always represents our program and University in a positive manner," said Aces' men's soccer head coach Marshall Ray. "Ian made the most of his opportunity here and became one of the best players in the Missouri Valley. I am certain he will take advantage of the opportunity at Queen of the South and make the most of it." 

McGrath's contract with Queen of the South runs through the end of the club's season on May 4. The 2018 graduate of UE has been cleared to play and will be part of the squad in the team's upcoming Championship contest against Falkirk on February 2, according to a release from the team.

"Ian has spent the last few weeks training with us and featured in our friendly match against Annan," said Queen of the South manager Gary Smith in a release by the team earlier on Thursday. "He has shown up well in his time with the squad and both (assistant manager) Dougie (Anderson) and I can see potential. We have also watched several bits of footage of him playing in America and some of the goals he has scored are unbelievable. It's a short term deal but we believe he will be a good addition to the squad."

In his first year playing professionally, McGrath made four appearances for USL side Nashville S.C., scoring one goal.

At Evansville, the New Lenox, Ill. native scored 26 goals, the ninth-most in program history, assisting on 11 more goals, and recording 11 game-winning goals in 71 appearances for the Purple Aces. Over the final two years of his collegiate career, McGrath helped lead the Aces to back-to-back MVC Tournament semifinals appearances and back-to-back double-digit win seasons, the first time either feat had been accomplished since the 1995 and 1996 seasons. In 2017, McGrath was named first-team all-MVC and United Soccer Coaches all-West region for his efforts, his fourth all-MVC honor and second all-region recognition. McGrath also shined in the classroom where the midfielder was named twice to the MVC scholar-athlete team and earned NSCAA Scholar All-American honors in 2016.

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