Roma signs Former Premier League Goalkeeper Matthew Ryan on a FREE from AZ On a One-Year Deal #2335
Roma starting to get a bit more active in the transfer market as they prepare the squad for the upcoming season. De Rossi has already started pre-season training with his team. Roma brought in 16-year-old Spanish prodigy from Levante left-back Buba Sangare. Then this past week Roma officially wrapped up a marquee signing for Central midfielder as they brought in Stade Rennais Midfielder Enzo Fee Lee For 23 million. Since then, Roma's priority In the transfer market has been to upgrade the attack. Primarily a center forward for this upcoming season with Lukaku having his loan ended and Tammy Abraham being thrown in transfer talks with AC Milan. The targets have been Villarreal's Alexander Sorloth already agreed on personal terms. Juventus winger that spent last season on loan at Frosinone Mattia Soule As Roma continues a tug of war between themselves and Leicester City. The Argentine playmaker prefers a move to Roma. Roma has offered 20 million plus a salon clause of 10%. All signs point towards this deal possibly getting completed although Alexander Sorloth is likely to come first due to the complication. There are a few other strikers on their list with Federico Chesia Still a concrete possibility despite the frustration in the negotiations. In addition to these negotiations, Dybala is expected to sign a new contract after his wedding this week. the new deal would eliminate the release clause of 12 million. However, another area of need is to find Roma a number to goalkeeper to Mile Svillar. The outgoing Rui Patricio leaves an opening that Roma needs to fill. While this hasn't necessarily been a priority, However, Roma would like to get this taken care of So they can focus on their other targets. Roma has found a solution as they have agreed to a deal with the Former Brighton keeper. Matthew Ryan. The 32-year-old spent the last two seasons in AZ In the Netherlands. He joins as a free agent on a very affordable deal. it is a 1-year deal with the option of another 2 years on top of it. giving the young Serbian Mile Svillar A quality backup with veteran experience. He will act as a number two this season, possibly starting the Copa Italia and Europa League. He left Amsterdam airport on Sunday evening before arriving at Fiumicino Airport on Monday afternoon. He then would complete his medical before officially signing on the dotted line on Tuesday. This may not be a splash but Roma take care of business by bringing in a number of goalkeepers with a lot of experience in Europe. the focus will likely redirect to Roma's attack over the next few weeks as they look to wrap up another big signing before the start of the new season.
Matthew, Ryan will come into this situation with good experience and having played in various countries over his career thus far. Even though he may not have played for the biggest clubs. He has spent time In some top leagues. The Australian has also played in three different World Cups as he was the starter. in 2018. He started his career in his home country of Australia playing for Central Coast Mariners He played three seasons in Australia before making the move to Europe. He ended up heading to Belgium playing for Club Brugge establishing himself as a starter playing 102 matches in two seasons. although he struggled to win the league in Brugge He did lift the Belgium Cup in 2014 He started the final played well as Club Brugge beat Anderlecht 2-1 with Lior Refaelov scoring the winner In stoppage time. He showed his quality This prompted La Liga side Valencia to pay $7 million for the services of the Australian goalkeeper. However, he struggled for game time In Valencia Only making 23 appearances in two seasons including only 10 starts in La Liga. The majority of his appearances have come in the Copa del Rey and other competitions. He was then loaned back to Belgium to Gent He started 17 matches in the league 24 in all competitions and we saw him back to his best once more. Valencia didn't have a place for him in the future. So the English Premier League came calling. Brighton paid 6 million for the goalkeeper. At the time Brighton wasn't pushing for the top half of the table as they have been in recent history. this was a Brighton side That had only recently been promoted to the Premier League. Matthew Ryan found a home As he broke through in the Premier League. He had three outstanding seasons and then another very good season. however, during those first three seasons, he was a very underrated goalkeeper possibly a top 10 goalkeeper in the Premier League, maybe even top seven. However, in the next three seasons afterward he only played 21 matches. The next season. He was loaned to Arsenal but only played three matches. the following season he made a return to Real Sociedad playing just nine games with only a few starts in La Liga. then he went to Denmark with Copenhagen playing just 11 times. however, he then spent the last three seasons in the Netherlands with AZ. He was their starting goalkeeper playing 56 matches over the last two seasons on top of 25 clean sheets. He ended his contract at the end of the season opening the opportunity to now work with De Rossi and Roma as a number two goalkeeper. He is not going to start in Rome, but certainly, we'll have opportunities to contribute this next season. He's 32 years old now but comes with experience and has dealt with a lot of adversity and complex situations. However, there's still a really good keeper in there. 25 clean sheets and two seasons are outstanding and if they get the Brighton version of Matthew Ryan Roma will have a very safe pair of hands waiting in the wings and will get his opportunities in his own right. He can provide a bit of leadership on the throma side, but in addition to that being a mentor for Mile Svillar. It is A terrific deal for Roma from a financial perspective to join on as a free agent. It's a very cheap deal, but also if things go well it allows Roma to keep him longer than the one-year deal. Roma has an option to extend his contract In each of the next two seasons after the 1-Year deal. When looking for a number 2 goalkeeper you don't need a superstar or a potential star. Roma already has one of the best goalkeepers in Italian football. Since the Serbian became a starter, he was the best goalkeeper in Italian football last year. However, what you need for my number two option is experience a capable goalkeeper, and someone who can display leadership while also being a good teammate. What his role will be beyond that it's unclear, but in terms of the things you would want from a number two goalkeeper Matthew Ryan checks the box and it's also a very convenient deal for Roma. They got it done quickly they expressed interest. they sealed the package and now they can redirect their focus back to the attacking players that they have been targeting.
Now that Matthew Ryan is signed, sealed, and delivered. What will his role be within the team let's explore this traditionally Roma's number to goalkeeper has played the Europa League and The Copa Italia matches. Olson & Mirante, Lopez & Mirante,Fuzato, Sczczney & Alisson. The only time a Roma goalkeeper in the last decade has individually played every single match. It was Allison that historic season before he went to Liverpool. So one could suggest that. Matthew Ryan will In all likelihood, be playing the Europa League and the Copa Italia matches. Roma has not been in the Champions League over these seasons given that fact, I think it's likely that he will be starting the Europa League matches. if Roma managed to make the Champions League next season and they'd decided to extend Matthew Ryan for another year, then it is possible that Mile Svillar Would take more of the load. however, this season I fully expect Matthew Ryan to be the starter and the Europa League matches. Now if Roma makes a big run In the Europa League, would that then change circumstances? it's unclear but I suspect. Matthew Ryan will get plenty of game time outside of Serie A and perhaps during matches that Roma have two in a week within the league. maybe Matthew Ryan would even start a couple of League matches this season, but primarily we're going to leave that to the Serbian. I'm just projecting what could occur with Matthew Ryan, as a number two this season. I assume that he will get on the pitch a fair bit but in the less important matches & the Europa League. Again, these things could all be determined based on how well Roma does in the league. If Roma is putting together a challenge for the Champions League or maybe against the odds, has a dark horse, big title bid then Matthew Ryan could be responsible for the entirety Europa League campaign in addition to the Copa Italia which we all understand. He will probably start those games. regardless of how you put this or what his role would be, it's a smart move to make. He is incredibly experienced. has played for a lot of clubs and at his best was quite an outstanding goalkeeper. 25 clean sheets in the last 2 years is sensational so even though he's not coming here to be the starter, he will be able to give Roma value in multiple ways. As Roma brings in goalkeeper Matthew Ryan to Join the goalkeeping room with rising Star Mile Svillar.