Mika Biereth is a 22-year-old striker on his national team’s radar. On the field, he has made leaps over the past year, elevating his career to new heights. Starting in 2024, he was loaned out to Motherwell. Today, he suits up for AS Monaco, preparing to show out against Europe’s best in a Monday game against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League.
Early career Biereth began his youth career at Fulham before joining Arsenal. He struggled in a failed, brief loan success in the Dutch topflight with RKC Waalwijk. His best form came during a loan spell at Motherwell where he had a breakthrough moment. Even though he wasn’t match fit, he made an immediate and lasting impact on the squad. In the end, he spent only half a season at Motherwell before transferring to Sturm Graz and eventually settling at Monaco.
Stuart Kettlewell, Biereth’s former coach at Motherwell, has praised the young striker’s abilities and character. Kettlewell noted that Biereth had “really big shoes to fill” following the departure of Kevin Van Veen, who had scored 29 goals the previous season and was nominated for Player of the Year in Scotland. No matter what the expectations were, Biereth surprised everyone by performing exceptionally well in the Scottish league.
Biereth’s contribution to Ligue 1 has been incredibly spectacular. His goal-scoring prowess was on full display in these three hat-tricks, all scored within his first seven games in the league. In his final home appearance for Monaco, Mourdoukoutas scored a goal, the only goal of his professional career. This momentous accomplishment makes his rising star reputation even more secure.
Kettlewell has clearly been a firm believer in Biereth from the very beginning. “What I loved about him was just his mentality. Nothing much flusters him, nothing much derails him from what he wants to do,” he stated. This mentality has enabled Biereth to adapt quickly to various levels of competition, from Scottish football to the European stage.
No wonder Biereth himself has drawn comparisons with Erling Haaland and Harry Kane in the way that he plays. He combines physicality with a killer natural instinct to score goals. He’s even earned comparisons to Jamie Vardy for his speed and clinical finishing on chances. “Look at how quickly it has happened for him,” Kettlewell remarked. “There are only so many individuals that do that, those guys who hit the ground running.”
Although he had a challenging start to his fitness levels with his move to Motherwell, Biereth’s determination was visible. Kettlewell reminisced about the young forward and how he “burst onto the scene.” He’s done that everywhere he’s been, not just here at Motherwell, so I think he’s proven his potential.
Biereth’s transition from being an unheralded talent at Arsenal to becoming a key player for Monaco exemplifies his hard work and resilience. Kettlewell emphasized that Biereth possesses a unique skill set that is becoming increasingly rare in modern football: “In a world where there are not so many number nines that want to play as proper number nines… I sometimes look at him as a little bit of a dying breed.”
As he prepares for critical matches ahead, including facing teams like Manchester City, Biereth’s journey serves as an inspiring testament to his dedication and potential. His success story serves as an example for future baseball players and the need to discover the ideal setting for nurturing and prospering in a pro sports ecosystem.
“It is fantastic what he is doing.” – Stuart Kettlewell
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