Rhyan Grant

Rhyan Grant
Born	(1991-02-26) February 26, 1991 Canowindra, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation	Professional soccer player
Years active	2008–present
Known for	Right back for Sydney FC, captain of Sydney FC, Australian international footballer

Rhyan Bert Grant (born 26 February 1991) is an Australian professional soccer athlete who operates primarily as a right back and serves as the captain of A-League Men team Sydney FC.

Originating from Canowindra, New South Wales, Grant advanced through the ranks at the Australian Institute of Sport before making his senior debut for Sydney FC in 2008. Initially playing in midfield, he later converted into an attacking right back recognized for his contributions along the wing. Grant is among the rare A-League players who have dedicated their entire professional career to one club, making him Sydney FC’s longest-tenured player and one of a few with over 300 appearances in all competitions.

Youth career

In June 2008, despite not meeting the age requirements, Grant was offered a scholarship at the AIS in Canberra. After impressing during a three-month stint, he joined Sydney FC’s first-ever National Youth League squad in September 2008.

During the 2008–09 campaign, the team clinched the title with Grant featuring in 15 matches and scoring once. Sydney FC Youth secured the minor premiership and triumphed 2–0 over Adelaide United in the Grand Final on 21 February 2009, with Grant playing the entire match.

Sydney FC

While competing in the National Youth League that season, Grant made his senior debut for Sydney FC on 21 December 2008 against Perth Glory, coming on as a substitute. He appeared five times for the senior side during the 2008–09 A-League season, wearing jersey number 34, before earning a full senior contract and switching to number 23 for the 2009–10 A-League season.

In pursuit of a regular first-team role during 2009–10, Grant featured in nine matches and celebrated his first Premiership title. On 27 August 2010, he secured a two-year contract extension. His inaugural senior goal came against Central Coast Mariners in the 2010–11 A-League season.

Grant was selected for the A-League All Star squad in 2013, participating in a match against Manchester United. Unfortunately, his 2013–14 campaign was cut short due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury necessitating surgery.

He made his comeback in November 2014, primarily appearing from the bench under coach Graham Arnold, who encouraged Grant to focus on developing as a right fullback. During the 2014–15 A-League season, he scored a memorable goal against Central Coast Mariners and earned a two-year contract renewal alongside teammate Sebastian Ryall.

The 2015–16 A-League season saw Grant cement his place as a regular starter at fullback, featuring almost every match. His breakthrough year came in 2016–17 when he played every minute across all competitions, contributed two goals and five assists, and scored in Sydney FC’s grand final victory over Melbourne Victory. His outstanding form led to a call-up for Australia’s national squad ahead of the 2017 Confederations Cup, although he did not make the final roster. He was also honored by inclusion in the 2016–17 PFA Team of the Season.

In July 2017, Grant suffered another ACL injury to his left knee, resulting in several months away from play. He returned to training by season’s end but did not feature again that year.

On 10 November 2018, he reached a milestone of 150 A-League appearances. By December, Grant became Sydney FC’s first player to complete ten years at the club—a distinguished achievement within A-League history. His excellent performances earned him selection for Australia’s squad at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, causing him to miss seven club matches during January. Upon returning, he started all remaining league fixtures and was once again named to the PFA Team of the Season.

In the 2019 A-League Grand Final facing Perth Glory, Grant endured significant crowd hostility but successfully converted a decisive penalty in Sydney FC’s shootout win.

Grant netted the winning goal in the 2020 A-League Grand Final, securing his third Championship and Premiership titles with Sydney FC; his efforts were recognized with the Joe Marston Medal awarded to man of the match.

Throughout the 2022-23 A-League Men season, Grant became Sydney FC’s first player to surpass 300 appearances across all competitions.

Following Luke Brattan’s transfer to Macarthur FC, Grant was appointed captain of Sydney FC ahead of the 2024-25 A-League Men campaign.

International career

Grant was chosen to join Australia's training squad for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup and represented the Young Socceroos in the Netherlands, where they secured victory in one tournament.

In November 2018, he served as a train-on player for Australia's friendly match against South Korea before being included in the squad facing Lebanon, marking his debut by playing the entire game. Later that December, Grant was selected in the final 23-man roster for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. During the group stage encounter with Jordan, he came on at halftime to replace an injured Josh Risdon and participated in five matches throughout the competition, donning the number 4 jersey previously worn by Socceroo icon Tim Cahill.

On 8 September 2021, Grant netted his inaugural international goal as Australia triumphed 1–0 away against Vietnam in a World Cup qualifying match, contributing to Australia's extended winning run of ten consecutive games.

Personal life and philanthropy

Grant is passionate about surfing. In 2018, while surfing near Collaroy Beach, he experienced a near-fatal accident resulting in a broken arm and ribs, which forced him to miss the opening phase of the 2018–19 A-League season.

He is also recognized for his distinctive mullet hairstyle, which he grew out during his recovery from a second anterior cruciate ligament injury. During the 2019 Asian Cup, Grant required special permission from the Asian Football Confederation due to regulations imposed by the UAE Football Association that prohibit 'unusual or offensive' hairstyles.

In terms of charitable work, Grant took part in the Chappell Foundation's 2018 'sleep out for youth homelessness' event at the Sydney Cricket Ground, raising close to $5,000. In 2021, he raised over $25,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation's 'World's Greatest Shave' campaign by shaving off his mullet, following fellow Sydney FC teammates Luke Brattan and Andrew Redmayne.

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Australian Institute of Sport	2008	Victorian Premier League	13	1	0	0	0	0	13	1
Sydney FC	2008–09	A-League	5	0	0	0	–		5	0
	2009–10		9	0	0	0	–		9	0
	2010–11		11	1	0	0	5	0	16	1
	2011–12		22	0	0	0	–		22	0
	2012–13		25	2	0	0	–		25	2
	2013–14		3	0	0	0	–		3	0
	2014–15		20	1	0	0	–		20	1
	2015–16		24	0	2	1	7	1	33	2
	2016–17		27	3	5	0	–		32	3
	2017–18		0	0	0	0	–		0	0
	2018–19		22	0	4	0	4	0	30	0
	2019–20		22	2	1	0	6	0	29	2
	2020–21		23	1	0	0	0	0	23	1
	2021–22		21	1	3	0	5	0	29	1
	2022–23		28	2	3	0	0	0	31	2
	2023–24		29	3	3	0	colspan="2" |–		32	3
	2024–25		5	0	1	0	4	1	10	1
	Total		296	14	18	1	31	2	349	18
Career total			309	14	18	1	31	2	362	20

International

Australia

Player

Sydney FC

• A-League Premiership titles: 2009–10, 2016–17, 2019–20
• A-League Championship victories: 2010, 2017, 2019, 2020
• FFA Cup/Australia Cup wins: 2017, 2023
• National Youth League Championship: 2008–09

Australia U-20

• AFC U-20 Asian Cup runner-up: 2010

Individual

• Selected for A-League All Star team: 2013, 2022, 2024
• Included in PFA A-League Team of the Season: 2016–17, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
• Recipient of the Joe Marston Medal: 2020