AUSSIE stopper Mat Ryan is reportedly set to join Real Sociedad in a major blow for Celtics.
The ex-Brighton goalkeeper, who spent half of last season on loan with Arsenal, is said to have agreed terms with the La Liga side.
Mundo Deportivo report that he passed his medical in Los Angeles, where he spent a few days with ex-Club Brugge team-mate and LA Galaxy star Víctor Vazquez.
He is now reportedly in Spain to complete the transfer in a bargain £1million deal.
Mundo also claim Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil’s eager to rush through Ryan’s signing so he can start training with his squad ahead of their pre-season friendlies.
If the 29-year-old’s proposed deal gets finalised, it will mark his return to the La Liga where he spent two seasons with Valencia from 2015 to 2017.
Although he only made 10 appearances for them during that time, his old pal Vazquez claimed Ryan can’t wait to return to Spain and challenge Sociedad’s present No.1 Alex Remiro for his spot.
He said: “Maty is super motivated, super happy and eager to fight Alex Remiro for the No.1 keeper position at Sociedad.
“His time in Valencia left him with a very good taste in his mouth, even though he didn’t play as much as he wanted.
“He has always been very attached to Spain, he loves its culture and its food.”
But not everyone will be happy with Ryan’s choice to join Sociedad.
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Hoops manager Ange Postecoglou had wanted to bring the Australian stopper to Celtic Park this summer.
The Greek native had been banking on using the bond the pair had built when he was the Socceroos boss in the 2014 World Cup to lure Ryan to Scotland.
The demand for Ryan is a far cry from when he was released on a free from Brighton at the end of 2020.
After making 121 appearances for the Seagulls since joining from Valencia in 2017, boss Graham Potter told him his services were no longer required.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
