Mika Biereth scored on his non-competitive debut for Sturm Graz on Thursday, netting in a friendly against SC Dnipro-1.

Arsenal loanee Mika Biereth moved on loan to Austrian side Sturm Graz last Friday, and he had his first chance to impress his new supporters in a friendly game against SC Dnipro-1 on Thursday afternoon.

It was a chance the young striker took, scoring just 12 minutes into the contest.

Biereth took advantage of some lax marking to get himself free in the penalty area, and when a cutback came his way he had a simple task to tap it home for 1-0.

Biereth’s debut friendly goal for Sturm Graz #AFC pic.twitter.com/CwxYlHs5DW

— AFC LoanWatch (@AFC_Loanwatch) January 25, 2024

Seconds later, one of Biereth’s teammates really should have doubled the lead, as he won the ball off the Dnipro defence and cut back into the centre of the penalty area with the goal gaping.

But the first attacker on the scene couldn’t connect with the ball, and the second lifted the opportunity well over the bar.

The official Sturm Graz Twitter account wrote that Biereth “fits seamlessly into the black and white attacking game”, and his new side ended up winning the match 2-1.

Sturm Graz return to competitive action at the beginning of February, with an OFB Cup tie against Austria Vienna, but they have a couple more friendlies to get Biereth fully up to speed before then.

Biereth had spent the first half of the season on loan with Scottish Premiership side Motherwell, where he directly contributed to 11 goals in 15 games (11 starts).