A relatively quiet June schedule for the Socceroos allowed many players the chance to rest up after a busy year which included the World Cup and Asian Cup.
Now the European based players are back with their respective clubs preparing for a new season, with several Socceroos on the move in order to reach the next step in their development.
Namely, Socceroo keeper Mat Ryan is set to join Valencia after a stellar two seasons with Club Brugge, winning the Belgian Pro League ‘Keeper of the Year’ award in both of his seasons.
Only a handful of Asian leagues are in season currently but plenty of players are generating headlines as they try to set themselves up with one eye on Russia 2018.
Mat Ryan – Valencia – [TRANSFER]
Australia’s number one shotstopper Mat Ryan has seemingly sealed a switch to La Liga giants Valencia from his Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge after two seasons with the club. The 23-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise in his short football career, leaving the Central Coast Mariners just two years ago and now finding himself up against the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga. With Valencia number one Diego Alves out until January 2016 through injury, Ryan has plenty of time to make the goalkeeping position his own.
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Tim Cahill – Shanghai Shenua [GOAL]
The evergreen forward continued his fantastic run of form in the Chinese Super League with a goal against league leaders Beijing Guoan. It helped his team secure a vital 3 points and prevented Beijing from gaining ground on the top of the league table. Cahill’s run of good form has come at the perfect time as he is competing with recent acquisition Demba Ba for playing time and goal scoring opportunities.
Always great to win in a massive derby game. @dembabafoot @sissokomomo @shanghaishenhua #ShanghaiShenhua ?? pic.twitter.com/Qvxz87PR6m
— Tim Cahill (@Tim_Cahill) July 15, 2015
Matthew Spiranovic – Hangzhou Greentown [TRANSFER]
After rejecting offers at the end of last season, Wanderers defender Matthew Spiranovic has moved on from the A-League side to join Cahill in China. As a key member of the Socceroos defensive unit since Ange Postecoglu took over, Spiranovic is going to give himself a test in a higher quality league and may even have to mark his countrymen which is no easy task. His ability to play the ball out of the heart of defence is one of his greatest assets and he has shown in his time at the Wanderers he is up to the task of top level Asian opposition.
MORE: Awer Mabil off to Denmark to join FC Midtjylland
Curtis Good – Newcastle [INJURY]
Taking over from Harry Kewell as the Socceroos most injury prone player (though he is facing stiff competition from Tom Rogic), the luckless defender has suffered another hip injury having missed significant time recently with a similar injury. Since his move to Newcastle from Melbourne Heart he has shown plenty of potential in loan spells around the United Kingdom but has been unable to earn a squad place due to his inability to stay healthy.
Adam Taggart – Fulham [INJURY RETURN]
His first season at Craven Cottage was disappointing to say the least with his post World Cup move soured by a groin injury which prevented him from making a single first team appearance. A young player with a bright future ahead of him, Taggart has gotten himself back on the field in Fulham’s preseason playing 45 minutes in a preseason friendly against Aston Villa and contributing an assist in his side’s 3-1 victory.
Socceroo @adamtaggart22 is having a promising pre-season at @FulhamFC – http://t.co/IntQR4wBi4 #GoSocceroos pic.twitter.com/5g94papwKz
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) July 15, 2015
Oliver Bozanic – TBD [RELEASED]
Having become a regular squad player for Ange Postecoglu, the former Mariners midfielder finds himself in contract limbo after he left Swiss club FC Luzern. His two seasons there yielded 51 appearances and 6 goals as he sought to build a resume in Europe. Now comes time for the 26 year old to try and prove his worth in a higher standard league such as Belgium or Turkey where other Australians have gone to help their development.
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Great move for Matty, especially if he can lock down the number one position straight away.
If he can do that and consistently put on great performances I wouldn’t be surprise to see him at one of football’s giants in the next 2-3 years