Mat Ryan extends Club Brugge deal

Mat Ryan
Ryan, 22, joined the Pro League side in May last year after winning the 2012-13 A-League title with the Central Coast Mariners.

He received the Belgian players' goalkeeper of the year award following his first campaign with Club Brugge, helping the club to qualify for the UEFA Europa League.

Having succeeded Mark Schwarzer as Australia's first-choice keeper, Ryan started all three matches for the Socceroos at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Several of Europe's biggest clubs have been linked with a move for Ryan in the last six months, but he looks set to remain at the Jan Breydel Stadium for some time to come after committing to the club until 2018.

"I'm very happy to announce I have re-signed with Club Brugge," he was quoted as saying by Fairfax.

"They've made me very welcome. I had an amazing year last year and the start of this year also.

"To have been rewarded with a new deal is great recognition from the club of how happy they are with how I've fitted in.

"The fans and everyone at the club have been so helpful since the first day and I'm very committed to achieving great things with this club. Looking forward to some great times.

"I love the club and love how we're moving forward and progressing."

Ryan and the club took the unusual step of appearing to play out the final stages of the renewal discussions over Twitter, an indication of Club Brugge's progressive public relations strategy.
 
Ryan's agent, ex-Denmark international Mikkel Beck, later tweeted further confirmation of the done deal.

 
Club Brugge, who are coached by former Belgium international goalkeeper Michel Preud'homme and face Torino in the Europa League on Thursday (Friday morning AEDT), will miss Ryan's services during his absence for the Asian Cup in January.
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