What a year it’s been for Mat Ryan – spearheading the Socceroos’ Asian Cup victory, steering Club Brugge to second place in the Belgian Pro League, winning the Belgian Cup and appearing in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Those triumphs were all tasters of what was to come. The 23-year-old confirmed on Monday he’s in line for the biggest move of his professional career as he sets off for a medical with La Liga giants Valencia.
Ryan will become just the third Aussie to feature in the Spanish top flight, following in the footsteps of John Aloisi and Aurelio Vidmar, with Aloisi enjoying a purple patch at Osasuna throughout his four years in Pamplona.
Though the goalkeeper signed a contract extension to keep him at Club Brugge until 2018, he never looked likely to see that out. Indeed, it seems as though Ryan was simply doing the club a favour by signing on, ensuring they’d get maximum worth out of him when the time did come to move on.
Club Brugge won’t be the only party grinning at the reported transfer fee of more than $10 million. When Ryan parted ways with Central Coast, they secured a sell-on clause in his contract, something that could be music to the ears of the financially inconsistent club.
Ryan has spent his entire career playing his cards right. Opting to join Brugge was an astute choice. He was all but guaranteed regular football and the chance at playing in Europe. While the Belgian league is in the shadow of Europe’s elite, Ryan has clearly had his work cut out for him.
His performances on the domestic and continental stages put him in the shop window, with Liverpool strongly tipped to sign him as back-up to Simon Mignolet back in January.
But Ryan bided his time and again chose wisely. Current Valencia No.1 Diego Alves unfortunately suffered a cruciate ligament injury last season, ruling him out until January 2016. It means if Ryan passes his medical and returns to match fitness in the coming weeks, he’ll be lining up against Rayo Vallecano on August 23 and Barcelona on November 29.
It’s an encouraging sign that Valencia were in talks to sign Manchester United gloveman Victor Valdes on loan as a temporary replacement for Alves, but made room for Ryan instead.
Valdes would have been the perfect signing for Valencia; he’s an experienced player who would have come with no fee and the two clubs were reportedly in the process of making an arrangement to share the outlay of his wages.
Coach Nuno Espirito Santo seemingly has longer term aspirations for Ryan, who he will see as ideal competition for Alves going forward.
It will be a step up in every sense for Ryan. Bigger stadiums, more quality opponents, world class strikers and a UEFA Champions League play-off in mid-August.
None of that will fear Ryan, who has never shirked a challenge thus far in his career. Though his fondness of Club Brugge was never in doubt, he says this was simply an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“I had a great time here in Bruges. But I feel that it is time to take this step. Last year I had some nice offerings, but this time I could not really refuse,” he said in a club statement.
“I am grateful for the opportunities they gave me, as a young player, I could not imagine a better place to grow.
“I have every confidence in the future of ‘black and blue’, I keep track already from the first row as a supporter. Finally, a big thank you to the best fans in Belgium!”
One of the most storied clubs in one of the most revered leagues in the world awaits and Maty Ryan has certainly earned this.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Signed, sealed & delivered. Well done, good luck Maty, lets hope you take La Liga by storm.
SM
Guest
I was putting Bilbao ahead of them on historical achievements and the fact that along with Real and Barca, have never been relegated. Certainly not Sevilla, who have won just the one league title in their entire history.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Yes this is a great league for Ryan. So few Aussies play in Spain is because they lack (unfortunately) the technical skill to succeed in Spain. This hopefully will change in time.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Soccer Stoppage Time is reporting CCM to receive $1.55M from this transfer.
Brian
Guest
I would have thought 4th after the two Madrid's & Barca. Maybe even 3rd given Atletico resurgence is recent. Not sure if you are putting Sevilla ahead of them but I would have Valencia in the top 4. The Deloitte Money League has them constantly around the 20-25 mark globally.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Sounds like a good place to be at the moment. But it seems like the new stadium is on the backburner once more. Work might not start on it before 2016.
Steve
Guest
Peter Lim - Singaporean billionaire - purchased the club last year (well at least > 70% share). They made some smart buys and have some VERY good players (e.g. Otamendi, Gaya, Alcacer, Feghouli, Mustafi, Perez, Piatti) with a good, inventive coach. If anything, Negredo was a liability for them last season. They would easily challenge an Arsenal or Manchester United on the field.
Franko
Guest
$2M+ may even keep games on the coast for a year or two.
Pat
Guest
ABC article in 2013 when he got sold to Brugge says sale price of $180k and then sell on clause upto 20%. Good payment for them if that's the case.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Doesnt seem to be affecting them as much as it was before, considering they also paid a handsome fee for Negredo
Kaks
Roar Guru
Big Club for the traditionalists of football, but you would be hard pressed to be able to include them as a 'big club' in modern football. Yes Valencia have a great history and are a great club and will give Ryan every opportunity to succeed in football. But i was talking about the 'elite' clubs.
SM
Guest
He's just signed for a 'big club'. Valencia are probably the fifth biggest club in Spain and therefore one of the biggest in the world.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Depends on the contract. From what I read when Carlton SC sold Marco Bresciano they inserted a 10% sell-on clause to include every future transfer in his professional career. Carlton SC was liquidated and an accountant, Peter Jess, ended up with that asset & receives payments to this day.
Chop
Roar Guru
I believe Viduka's Melbourne club got a sell-on for every transfer after he left the club, hopefully that's the case for the Mariners.
SM
Guest
I thought Valencia were still in a financial hole due to the issues with their new stadium. Any progress on that front? Perhaps someone who's more knowledgeable on Spanish football can fill us in. Apart from that matter, it's a tremendous signing. Best of luck to the lad!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Diego Alves has torn his ACL - presumably he's having a knee reconstruction, which should keep him out for 6-9 months. Sad news for Alves, great news for Maty. From what I've read, Maty has a Buy Out clause in his Bruges contract & that was triggered. As someone said the price paid by Valencia was not for a No.2 keeper.
Lionheart
Guest
so how long does that sell-on normally last? Does it apply if Matty makes another move in say, two years time?
Steve
Guest
Sorry mate, Ter Stegen is a beast and suits Barca to a tee. He's one of the best keepers with the ball at his feet, up there with Manny Neuer. I like Matty Ryan but as a Barca fan I hope Ter Stegen stays for at least a decade. ALso I don't know how you can say "Ryan complements the team more than Ter Stegen does" when Ter Stegen has actually played an succeeded at Barcelona...sounds like pure speculation.
Steve
Guest
Diego Alves was also almost singularly responsible for Valencia's draw in the Bernabau in May which helped secure Valencia's opportunity to play Champions League football this season with an unbelievable display. Matty Ryan will have to do something extraordinary to keep Alves on the bench when he returns from injury. Still a good career move though....surely Espanyol now have a need with Kiko Casilla moving to Real?
Kaks
Roar Guru
I can see a goalkeeper like Ryan suiting the game plan of Barcelona. i.e A goalkeeper who plays a high line, is fast off the line and is very good with his feet/distribution. He complements the team more than Ter Stegen does. If he does well at Valencia then i can see him going to one of the big clubs. I know its a very big IF and it is probably a pipe dream, but dont count him out.