OUTSTANDING Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Mathew Ryan will spend a week training with Barclays Premier League giant Tottenham Hotspur from Thursday 2 August.
OUTSTANDING Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Mathew Ryan will spend a week training with Barclays Premier League giant Tottenham Hotspur from Thursday 2 August.
The London-based club, now coached by Portuguese mentor Andre Villas-Boas, wrote to Central Coast late this week to request Ryan-s participation in training with the club in the lead up to the 2012/13 Premier League campaign.
With Ryan eager to explore and enjoy the opportunity of training at one of England-s biggest clubs, the Mariners have given the Hyundai A-League-s 2012 Goalkeeper of the Year their blessing to travel to the United Kingdom.
Central Coast Mariners emphasise that no discussions have been held between the two clubs concerning the transfer of Ryan, who has a season remaining on his contract with the yellow and navy.
Mariners Chairman, Mr Peter Turnbull, believes the chance for Ryan to test himself in such an elite environment represents a significant opportunity for the 20-year-old custodian, especially as ‘Spurs- ramp-up their preparations for their new domestic season.
“It is a magnificent opportunity and experience for Mathew to have a look at a top Premier League club,” Turnbull said. “Tottenham move into their new training facility on the first of August so it will be a great experience for him.”
“Our stated policy as a club is to reward Australian youth. ‘Arnie- (Mariners Head Coach, Graham Arnold) has embraced this policy enthusiastically and it has got results on the field, it has got results off the field and it proves that the Mariners can provide a career path for young Australians who want a career in football.”
Turnbull added that he believes Ryan-s invitation from Tottenham shows the young shot-stopper, and the Central Coast Mariners, are being spoken about by some of the world-s biggest clubs.
“I think it is reflective of Mathew-s standing in the game,” he said. “He has stature, he deservedly won a number of awards last season and has already been picked as Mark Schwarzer-s understudy for the Socceroos – he is a guy who is sought after.”
“It is because we are successful and we reward Aussie youth that these offers are happening,” Turnbull concluded.
