Canowindra’s Rhyan Grant is making history with Sydney FC, signing for another season even as he becomes the club’s longest-serving player.
Grant, who has made a record 377 appearances for the Sydney club since his debut in 2008, has signed a contract extension to stay with the club until the end of the 2026 / 2027 season – a contract that will see him serve 19 campaigns in sky blue.
The now captain is over the moon, he said in a video interview published to the club’s website.
“I didn’t really expect to be offered a contract this early in pre-season, being the age I am,” Grant said.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else … when Sydney offered that extra year I jumped on it, it all happened within a few days, I’m over the moon and very appreciative.”
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Grant made his debut as a 17-year-old against Perth Glory and has found success on and off the pitch, welcoming his first child two years ago.
On the pitch he remains as committed as ever and played the most minutes during the 2024/25 campaign which included Australia Cup, AFC Champions League Two & the Isuzu UTE A-League matches across the country and throughout Asia.
“The body’s holding up well at the moment, touch wood,” Grant said.
“I love being a part of it, love coming to training every day, hopefully the body holds up and I can have another good season, and help the club have a successful season and get us back to where we want to be.”
Grant has played a total 30,778 minutes with the club, won four A League premierships and four A League championships as well as two Australian Cups.
Individually, he was awarded the Joe Marston Medal for his grand final match performance in 2020, is a three-time A League All Stars representative and four-time A League PFA team of the season representative.
Sydney FC Head Coach Ufuk Talay is thrilled to have Rhyan committed for another season.
“What Rhyan provides us in leadership and experience on and off the pitch is so valuable and we are thrilled to see him extend his time with the club for another year,” he said in an interview published on the club’s website.
“He embodies everything that we want in a player; hard-working, committed and willing to do everything it takes to win, and what he brings to this side is more than just football.”
As he prepares for his second season as captain, Grant says there’s plenty he’s learnt from the experience of 2024 / 2025 but he’ll keep being himself.
The squad is a solid mix of seasoned professionals and younger talent.
“Last year being my first season as official captain was a great honour, definitely learnt a lot,” Grant said.
“I’ve taken a lot out of that and hopefully can build on that and learn a lot more, you speak to anyone it’s a process of learning.”
So could this now club legend have ever imagined – as he ran on against Perth in 2007 – that he’d still be pulling on the sky blue for Sydney FC in 2025 / 2026?
“I think if you speak to anyone who comes onto the scene, makes their debut , they’re happy to get that first game, that first start,” Grant said.
“You push your goals from there (but) to be here 17 years later, still running about, is a massive honour for me.”
