Former mentor Graham Arnold is certain Socceroos goalkeeper Mathew Ryan has made the right move to join La Liga club Valencia despite reported English Premier League interest.
Valencia are believed to have STG5 million ($A10.56 million) to acquire Ryan after his Belgian outfit Club Brugge gave the 23-year-old permission to complete his transfer to Spain.
Sydney FC coach Arnold, who guided Ryan’s rise through the A-League at Central Coast Mariners for three seasons, said the shot-stopper was perfectly suited to the Spanish game.
He said Ryan’s natural leadership and ability to distribute the ball from the back would make him a success at his new club.
“I think it’s a very smart move, going to Spain rather than England,” he said.
“It suits him much better, his style as a goalkeeper – it’s a fantastic move for him.”
Valencia are keen to strengthen at the back with first-choice goalkeeper Diego Alves sidelined until next year with a knee injury.
Ryan, who joined Brugge in May 2013 from the Mariners and was under contract for another three seasons, confirmed his impending departure on the club’s official website.
“If I pass a medical, I will indeed leave the club,” he said.
“This club went out of their way to keep me for an extra year, which made the choice even more difficult.
“I’ve had a great time here, but I feel that it is time to take another step.”
Ryan’s move will also be music to the ears of Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth, with the A-League club pocketing 15 per cent of the total transfer fee due to a contractual `sell-on’ clause.
Valencia finished fourth in La Liga in the 2014-15 campaign and will play in next season’s Champions League.
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