Veteran defender Rhyan Grant named as new skipper of Sydney FC

Following the departure of midfielder Luke Brattan, A-League club Sydney FC has named a new captain.

Rhyan Grant has been named Sydney FC’s new captain. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Former Socceroos defender Rhyan Grant has been appointed Sydney FC’s new captain following the off-season departure of Luke Brattan.

Grant, 33, debuted for the Sky Blues in 2008 and has made 339 appearances in all competitions for the five-time A-League champions.

“This is the next step for me in my career and I feel very honoured to be named captain,” the veteran right-back and three-time A-League All-Stars representative said.

“Thank you very much to the staff and to the boys as well for their support.”

The leadership vacancy existed after midfielder Brattan parted ways with Sydneysiders in May to join cross-town rivals Macarthur FC.

Presenting your 2024/25 Sydney FC Isuzu UTE A-League Men's Captain - Rhyan Grant ©️🫡#SydneyIsSkyBlue | @RhyanGrantpic.twitter.com/vqndnxIIlt

— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) July 29, 2024

Sky Blues coach Ufuk Talay said Grant, who recently signed a two-year contract extension, embodied “the values and the culture of this club”.

“He is at a stage of his career where I think he deserves the armband,” Talay said.

“I think he will honour and cherish that leadership role within the team.”

Under the guidance of Grant, the Sky Blues will start the defence of their Australia Cup crown on Tuesday night in a round-of-32 battle with NPL Victoria club Oakleigh Cannons at Bundoora.

“We’re definitely excited to play a competitive game. We want to do well in the Cup,” Talay said.

Talay’s team will be without star import Joy Lolley, who is recovering from off-season surgery.

In Tuesday night other Australia Cup round-of-32 matches, Macarthur meets NPL ACT outfit O’Connor Knights in Canberra, Darwin Hearts clash with NPL Victoria club Hume City at Larrakia Park, and NPL Queensland team Moreton City Excelsior hosts South Australian club Campbelltown City at Wolter Park.