Aussies Abroad: Maty Ryan returns to Spain with Real Sociedad

Maty Ryan is set to return to Spain, signing a two-year deal with La Liga side Real Sociedad. 

The Socceroos goalkeeper has spent the last four years contracted to English club Bright & Hove Albion, which included over 100 Premier League appearances and a dream loan stint with his boyhood club Arsenal at the back-end of last season. 

Ryan, 29, moved to Brighton from Spanish outfit Valencia for a then-club record fee back in 2017, and is now set to return to La Liga with Basque-based side Real Sociedad. 

Los Txuri-Urdin are a historic club with a strong fanbase, and following a fifth-placed finish in the league last season, will play in the 2021-22 Europa League. 

The club confirmed Ryan's deal extends until the end of the 2022-23 season, with an option of one extra year. 

 “Very happy to be part of a great club such as Real Sociedad. Looking forward to meeting my new team-mates,” Ryan said on Twitter. 

Ryan is proficient in speaking Spanish following his time with Valencia, and told the club in an interview that he is ready to, "work hard and compete to achieve ambitious goals." 

In other Aussies Abroad transfer news, Nikita Rukavytsya has announced that he will depart Maccabi Haifa after a highly successful five-year stint. 

The striker penned a heartfelt farewell on Instagram.