Socceroos skipper Mat Ryan is looking forward to “a new chapter” in his career after penning an 18-month deal with Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar.
It puts an end to a turbulent six-month stint with Danish heavyweights FC Copenhagen where the Aussie didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye with fellow goalkeeper Kamil Grabara in the battle for the starting spot between the sticks.
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Ryan’s switch to AZ follows in the steps of fellow Aussie Brett Holman, who made 92 appearances and scored 16 goals in his four years at the Eredivisie club.
The 30-year-old is fully backing himself to deliver as he attempts to finally settle at a club after a nomadic few years with spells at Arsenal, Real Sociedad and Copenhagen.
“It’s a really good club with a lot of ambition and it’s really exciting,” Ryan told AZ’s website.
“It’s a new chapter, the excitement of not knowing what’s about to unfold.
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“Being ambitious, you dream of achieving the highest of the heights and here at AZ where circumstances lie in the league, in European football and the domestic cup there’s a lot to play for.
“I’m confident that I can come here and contribute to the team and the goals that we have.”
AZ Director of Football Max Huiberts believes Ryan is the perfect answer to the club’s search for a goalkeeper.
“He has shown at various levels that he is good and was our top candidate from the start,” Huiberts said.
“We were looking for someone who is there immediately when he is fit. That’s him.
“Everything fits into the picture in that regard.”
Ryan will duke it out with Dutch goalkeeper Hobie Verhulst for the starting duties as AZ sit in fifth place in the Eredivisie on 30 points, just four behind league leaders Feyenoord.
