Rhyan Grant

Rhyan Bert Grant (born 26 February 1991) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a right back for A-League Men club Sydney FC, whom he also captains.

Born in Canowindra, New South Wales, Grant played youth soccer at the Australian Institute of Sport before making his professional debut for Sydney FC in 2008. Grant started his career playing in the midfield before becoming an attacking right back known for his supporting play down the wing. He is one of the few players in the A-League to have only played for the one club, is Sydney FC's longest serving player and is in an exclusive club of few to have 300 appearances in all competitions.

In June 2008, Grant received an invitation to take up a scholarship at the AIS in Canberra where he was selected despite not fitting into the age criteria for the 2008 scholarship program. After impressing during his three months in the nation's capital, he was signed as a member of Sydney FC's inaugural National Youth League squad in September 2008.

This team finished as champions for the 2008–09 season. He made 15 appearances for the National Youth League team during the season, scoring one goal. After Sydney FC Youth had clinched the National Youth League minor premiership by winning 13 and drawing two of their 18 regular season games, they progressed to the Grand Final where they met Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide on 21 February 2009. Grant played the full 90 minutes as Sydney FC triumphed 2–0.

During the National Youth League season, Grant also managed to earn a call-up to the senior team. On 21 December 2008, Grant made his senior debut for Sydney FC against Perth Glory at the Sydney Football Stadium, appearing as a 78th-minute substitute for Antony Golec. The game was won 4–1 by Perth Glory. He was an unused substitute as Sydney FC lost 3–2 to Melbourne Victory at the Telstra Dome on 27 December 2008. Grant then appeared as a 71st-minute substitute for Shannon Cole as Sydney FC lost 2–0 to Adelaide United at the Adelaide Oval on 3 January 2009. On 11 January 2009, Rhyan Grant made his starting debut against Wellington Phoenix at the Sydney Football Stadium, and played the full 90 minutes as Sydney FC won 1–0.

He also played a full game in Sydney FC's 3–1 defeat by Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium on 17 January 2009, and provided the cross from which Kofi Danning scored in the 25th minute. Rhyan Grant also started Sydney FC's final game of the A-League season, a 4–0 win over the Newcastle Jets at the Sydney Football Stadium on 25 January 2009. He was replaced in the 86th minute by Terry McFlynn.

Grant finished the 2008–09 A-League season with five senior appearances. He wore shirt number 34 in these five matches. He was then given shirt number 23 for the 2009–10 A-League season as he earned a full senior contract.

After a successful start to his senior career, Grant looked to cement a permanent first team spot in the 2009–10 season after impressing early in Sydney's undefeated run of pre-season trials. He ended up playing 9 games, starting 3, and winning his first Premiership.