Subway Socceroos captain Maty Ryan has completed a midseason switch to Ligue 1 outfit RC Lens for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, in a permanent transfer from AS Roma.
The 32-year-old had only signed with the Giallorossi in July last year but made just the solitary Coppa Italia appearance, unable to dislodge incumbent goalkeeper Mile Svilar.
Ryan, who has 96 caps for his country, will be hoping the move will garner more playing time and benefit his chances of regaining the number one spot for the Subway Socceroos as they aim to qualify for a sixth successive FIFA World Cup and seventh overall.
Lens will be Ryan's 10th European club since leaving the Central Coast Mariners in 2013 which has seen him ply his trade in Belgium, Spain, England, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy and now France.
Ryan, alongside Mathew Leckie, is the only Socceroo to have accumulated 10 appearances at the FIFA World Cup™, having played every available match at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 iterations of the tournament.
Lens General Manager, Pierre Dreossi, praised the shot-stopper's pedigree in a statement on the club's official website: "With 454 professional matches under his belt, Mathew Ryan is a major addition to the Artois squad.
"This renowned goalkeeper has established himself for over a decade as one of the best players in Australia, and even on the Oceanian continent. By playing on European pitches during his various experiences in La Liga, Premier League, La Liga, Eredevisie and recently in Serie A, Mathew has built up a significant background, as evidenced by his 66 appearances in UEFA competitions.
"Captain of the Australian team, he has also distinguished himself by participating in the last three World Cups. A complete goalkeeper, recognized for his leadership and values, Mathew perfectly matches the profile sought to strengthen the goalkeeping squad. He arrives in Artois with his hunger for the game and his thirst to discover the Bollaert-Delelis crowd. Welcome Mathew!"
Ryan becomes the third Australian to sign with Les Sang et Or after Alex Gersbach in 2018 and Robbie Slater in 1990, who spent four seasons at the club.
Lens, who lie seventh on the Ligue 1 table, host Angers at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Monday, 27 January at 3:15am (AEDT).
