Mat Ryan to sign with Italian club Roma after leaving AZ Alkmaar
The immediate playing future of the Socceroos captain has been confirmed with a shift to a huge Italian club.
Socceroos goalkeeper and captain Mat Ryan has no intention of playing second fiddle at his new club Roma after arriving in Italy ahead of his move to the Serie A outfit.
Ryan, 32, parted ways with AZ Alkmaar last month after a year-and-a-half at the Dutch club.
The former Brighton and Arsenal gloveman has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with Roma, with an option of two more seasons.
Following the departure of veteran Portuguese gloveman Rui Patricio from Roma, Ryan will challenge Belgium-born, Serbian international Mile Svilar for the first-choice custodian’s spot at the club.
“Forza Roma,” Ryan said to photographers on his arrival in Rome.
🛬 L’arrivo a Roma di Mathew #Ryan!
— Il Romanista (@ilRomanistaweb) July 15, 2024
📹 @sergiocarloni_#ASRomapic.twitter.com/CDxOgEqDvG
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said Ryan had gone to Roma to be the club’s “number one” keeper.
“He’s not going there to be a second keeper at all,” Arnold said.
“They’ve got a young keeper (Svilar) at this moment in time, and they wanted a top experienced goalkeeper, so Maty’s going there.
“He’s got a strong belief in himself, and he’s expecting to go there and play.”
Arnold said Roma’s busy schedule should ensure Ryan remained sharp.
“A club like Roma, they’re going to play 60-odd games this (season) with (Europa League), and obviously the Serie A and Cup competitions,” he said.
“Then in this (2024-25 season), we (the Socceroos) have got 10 international games, so that’s 70 games.
“If he gets 30, we’ll be very happy.”
In a social media farewell to AZ Alkmaar, Ryan said: Thank you AZ Alkmaar for enabling me to live my dream and represent this great club and city.
“I got to meet so many great people and create many great moments together that I’ll always cherish.
“Thank you fans for the support and making those moments as special as they are through your support for the team.
“I wish you all the best for the seasons that come and will be following and supporting from afar.”
Ryan missed the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifiers last month against Bangladesh and Palestine because of a minor knee problem.
However, he’s expected to return for Australia’s matches against Bahrain and Indonesia next month.
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