Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan has signed a two-year deal with Danish Superliga champions F.C. Copenhagen as he gears up for the FIFA World Cup Qatar.
Having made nine appearances in all competitions last season at Real Sociedad, the 30-year-old joins the club in search of regular game time.
Ryan has played his club football in Europe since joining Club Brugge from the Central Coast Mariners in 2013. After 77 appearances for Brugge, he went on to play in Spain’s La Liga with Valencia before joining Brighton & Hove Albion via a loan at Genk.
Ryan then made 123 appearances in England for Brighton and Arsenal combined before spending last season at Sociedad.
With back-to-back league titles up for grabs and a UEFA Champions League play-off on the horizon, Ryan jumped at the opportunity to join such a prestigious club.
"I’m really looking forward to becoming part of a big club like F.C. Copenhagen, which has a fantastic reputation throughout Europe," Ryan told fck.dk.
The team has great quality and the ambitions for the club are high in terms of winning titles and competing in the biggest tournaments in Europe. I will work hard to contribute to that."
With first-choice goalkeeper Kamil Grabara currently sidelined with injury for at least another month, Ryan is in line to make his debut straight away.
F.C. Copenhagen head coach Jess Thorup was also full of praise for Ryan’s arrival.
"It’s a very talented goalkeeper who is coming to Copenhagen, and he will certainly increase the competition in that position," Thorup said.
His career in Europe has always been at a high level, and he is definitely a winner who sets the bar high for himself and his teammates.
"He is lightning fast, good with his feet and has plenty of experience, so we are looking forward to working with him."
