Socceroos keeper Ryan seals move to Valencia

Mathew Ryan says he’ll do what he’s always done and work hard as he eyes a La Liga debut for Valencia against Rayo Vallecano – a game that falls on his mum’s birthday.

Valencia finished fourth in La Liga last season, qualifying for the Champions League.

He will have to dislodge Valencia’s first-choice keeper, Brazil’s Diego Alves, if he is to become a regular starter.

Ryan underwent his first training session with his new team-mates and Portuguese coach Nuno Espirito Santo at Mestalla Stadium on Tuesday, before revealing just how bold his European ambitions are.

The Belgian club announced on Monday they had given the 23-year-old global permission to travel to Spain to complete his transfer for an undisclosed fee.

With 21 caps for Australia, the Sydney-born stopper also cemented himself as Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou’s No 1 pick between the posts.

Valencia chairwoman Lay Hoon Chan said that although Ryan was young he was “ambitious and has a huge potential”. I am grateful for the opportunities the club gave me. “Our main objective now is to qualify for the Champions League”.

“It was a no-brainer in the end”, the former Central Coast Mariner said when asked by Fox Sports.

“I had a feeling it would be pretty big news, but I’ve been blown away by it all”, said Ryan, who was twice voted Belgium’s best goalkeeper.

“It suits him much better, his style as a goalkeeper – it’s a fantastic move for him”.