Sydney FC has agreed 2 year contract extensions with long serving Sky Blues Rhyan Grant and Sebastian Ryall.
The deals will mean Grant will remain with the Harbour City club for his eighth and ninth seasons while Ryall will complete his seventh and eighth seasons at Sydney FC.
Grant joined the Sky Blues as a youth player in 2008 for the inaugural Foxtel National Youth League season and has remained at Sydney FC ever since – making 86 appearances to date for the senior team.
The 23 year old from Canowindra has played in almost every position, bar goalkeeper, during his time at the Sky Blues and has already featured in a variety of positions under Head Coach Graham Arnold during the 2014/15 season, scoring a wonder goal last Saturday against Central Coast Mariners.
Grant said he was pleased to be re-signing with his boyhood club as he targeted further success in 2015 and beyond.
“I’ve been at Sydney FC since I was a seventeen year old, I couldn’t fathom playing for any other Hyundai A-League club, and it’s really pleasing to continue at the Sky Blues,” he said.
“I’ve enjoyed winning silverware at Sydney FC and under Head Coach Graham Arnold I believe we can claim further trophies, so to be extending my stay under Arnie is really exciting.
“This is a big club and I’m looking forward to remaining here for years to come.”
Head Coach Graham Arnold praised Grant’s versatility as a key factor in re-signing him as he looks to solidify his squad for the remainder of this season and the next two years.
“Rhyan is a fantastic player to have at my disposal,” Arnold said.
“His willingness to support the team and be able to cover various positions makes him a great utility but we do see him now cementing a role in one place.
“His disposition and attitude off the field is exemplary and he is an excellent professional to have within the playing group.”
Seb Ryall is one of five Sky Blues players to have made over 100 appearances for the club and is second on the club’s all-time Hyundai A-League appearances chart (121) behind Terry McFlynn (178).
“This is the club I’ve always supported and to have the chance to be able to go into my seventh and eighth seasons with the club is a huge honour,” said the 25 year old.
“The club has big ambitions to win many more Hyundai A-League titles and compete at the highest level in Asia and I’m delighted that I have the chance to be a part of it.”
Head Coach Graham Arnold believes consistency is vital to the long term success of Sydney FC.
“Seb is very much part of the future of the club and I can see him going on to be a long term fixture here,” he said.
“It shows this club has stability, growth and a vision of success moving forward. Both Seb and Rhyan have shown loyalty to Sydney FC and I’m pleased we are able to reward that.”
Both players will be available for this weekend’s game against Western Sydney Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium.
Sydney FC’s next home game is against Brisbane Roar on Sunday 15th March at Allianz Stadium (kick off 5pm). Purchase tickets today or become a Member and ensure you don’t miss a moment of Hyundai A-League action by heading to www.ticketek.com.au/sydneyfc
