James McGarry joins Athens Kallithea FC

Athens Kallithea FC announce the acquisition of 26-year-old New Zealand left-back James McGarry on loan from Aberdeen through the end of the 2024/25 season.

McGarry won Australia’s A-League championship with Central Coast Mariners before arriving in the Scottish Premiership with Aberdeen, where he has made 28 total appearances over the last two seasons.

Born in Dunedin, New Zealand, McGarry passed through the academy of local club Southern United, and would begin his professional career in Australia with Wellington Phoenix, eventually making his A-League debut at the age of 18 in January 2016.

In July 2018, McGarry moved to Europe for the first time, joining Dutch side Willem II. Over two seasons with the club, McGarry would make six first-team appearances in the Eredivisie, while making 28 appearances with the reserve team.

McGarry returned to Australia in October 2020, spending two more seasons at Wellington Phoenix, one season at Newcastle Jets, and one season at Central Coast Mariners, with whom he won the A-League championship in 2023, making 24 appearances with four goals and one assist during the campaign.

McGarry earned his transfer to Aberdeen in August 2023, and would make 17 total appearances (nine starts) across all competitions in his debut season, including three appearances (two starts) in the UEFA Conference League. He had made seven league appearances (five starts) in the first half of the 2024/25 season, with Aberdeen currently in fourth place in the Scottish Premiership table.

In international play, McGarry represented New Zealand at the Under-17, Under-20, and Under-23 levels, and has earned one cap with the senior national team in November 2019.

Welcome, James.