Rostyn Griffiths
Rostyn Griffiths | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 10, 1988 Stoke-on-Trent, England |
| Occupation | Professional soccer player |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Known for | Defensive midfielder and defender, A-League and international club career |
Rostyn John Griffiths (born 10 March 1988) is an Australian professional soccer player who operates primarily as a defender or defensive midfielder, currently representing NPL Western Australia side Balcatta Etna.
Griffiths made a move to Mumbai City from fellow City Football Group affiliated A-League team Melbourne City FC. During the 2020/21 season, he secured both the A-League Premiers Plate and Championship titles and took part in the club's inaugural continental appearance at the 2022 AFC Champions League, also helping the team clinch a second straight Premiers Plate in 2021/22.
Previously serving as captain for A-League outfit Perth Glory, Griffiths inked a high-value contract in August 2017 with Uzbek powerhouse Pakhtakor Tashkent competing in the Uzbek League.
Recognized as one of the priciest acquisitions in A-League history, Griffiths is celebrated for his defensive midfield capabilities—disrupting opposing attacks and facilitating his team's progression. He notably featured for Central Coast Mariners from 2010 until his 2012 transfer to Chinese club Guangzhou R&F, which commanded a $1.3 million fee, setting an A-League record.
Club career
Born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, Griffiths began his youth football journey with Australian side ECU Joondalup before relocating to England to join Blackburn Rovers. Although he never appeared for Blackburn’s senior squad, he was loaned out to Gretna in January 2008, making his debut against Heart of Midlothian the following month.
Accrington Stanley
In January 2008, after signing a one-year contract with Blackburn, Griffiths was loaned to Accrington Stanley for the duration of that deal.
Adelaide United
On 3 February 2009, Griffiths joined A-League side Adelaide United as cover for injured players. The initial short-term contract spanned four weeks, with an option to extend into a permanent two-year deal.
North Queensland Fury
Griffiths signed with newly established A-League franchise North Queensland Fury on 2 July 2009 ahead of their debut season. He etched his name in history by netting the club’s first competitive goal during their opening fixture against Sydney FC on 8 August 2009.
Guangzhou R&F
On 29 February 2012, Griffiths completed a transfer to Chinese Super League outfit Guangzhou for an undisclosed sum later disclosed as $1.3 million—a record fee for an Australian player at that time.
Perth Glory (2014–2015)
Griffiths returned to the A-League on 23 January 2014 by signing with Perth Glory. He opened his goal tally for the 2014–15 campaign on 4 December 2014 against Sydney FC, playing a key role in a late comeback to secure a 2–1 win.
Roda JC
On 26 July 2015, Perth Glory released Griffiths so he could join newly promoted Dutch top-flight club Roda JC on a two-year contract. After limited opportunities during his first season, he left Roda JC on 19 April 2016.
Perth Glory (2016–2017)
On 24 July 2016, Griffiths returned to Perth Glory by signing a two-year deal following a trial during their tour in the Philippines. He was named the team's captain on 2 October 2016.
Pakhtakor Tashkent
Griffiths transferred from Perth Glory to Uzbek club Pakhtakor Tashkent on 1 August 2017. He left the club in May 2018, citing personal family reasons for his departure.
Melbourne City
Griffiths committed to a two-year contract with Melbourne City on 19 July 2018, joining the squad ahead of the 2018–19 campaign.
Mumbai City
In July 2022, Griffiths was acquired by Mumbai City from their sister club Melbourne City on a one-year contract. He made his debut on 18 August during the Durand Cup against Indian Navy, helping secure a 4–1 win. Griffiths played the entire match in his Indian Super League (ISL) debut against Hyderabad FC, which ended in a 3-3 draw. His first goal for Mumbai City came versus ATK Mohun Bagan (now Mohun Bagan SG), where he headed home after an initial shot struck the crossbar, putting Mumbai ahead 2-1 before the match concluded at 2-2. Throughout the season, Griffiths emerged as a vital defender, stepping in for club captain Mourtada Fall as starting center-back alongside Mehtab Singh. His defensive prowess contributed significantly to Mumbai City's record-breaking 18-match unbeaten run and their capture of the ISL League Shield.
Balcatta Etna
On 1 March 2024, Griffiths signed with NPL Western Australia side Balcatta Etna.
International career
Griffiths represented Australia's under-17 national team, scoring twice in his debut match against Tonga. While playing at Blackburn, he was approached by the Welsh national team due to his grandfather's lineage but had not made any international commitment.
Personal life
His younger sibling, Brent Griffiths, is a former professional footballer who last played for Penang in the Malaysia Super League. Both brothers developed through Blackburn Rovers' youth academy.
Club
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Blackburn Rovers | 2007–08 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| Gretna (loan) | 2007–08 | Scottish Premier League | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 12 | 0 | |
| Accrington Stanley (loan) | 2008–09 | EFL League Two | 13 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | 15 | 1 | |
| Adelaide United | 2008–09 | A-League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | |
| North Queensland Fury | 2009–10 | A-League | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 23 | 2 | |
| Central Coast Mariners | 2010–11 | A-League | 30 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 30 | 2 | |
| 2011–12 | A-League | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 18 | 2 | ||
| Mariners total | 48 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 4 | ||
| Guangzhou R&F | 2012 | Chinese Super League | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 18 | 1 | |
| 2013 | Chinese Super League | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 18 | 0 | ||
| Guangzhou R&F total | 35 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 1 | ||
| Perth Glory | 2013–14 | A-League | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | 9 | 2 | |
| 2014–15 | A-League | 25 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | 28 | 3 | ||
| Perth total | 35 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 5 | ||
| Roda JC | 2015–16 | Eredivisie | 18 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | 20 | 2 | |
| (2016–17)
A-League 24 || 3 || 1 || 0 || — || — || 25 || 3 |
||||||||||
| (2017)
Uzbekistan Super League 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — || — || 7 || 0 | ||||||||||
| (2018)
Uzbekistan Super League 9 || 0 || 0 || 0 || — || — || 9 || 0 | ||||||||||
| Pakhtakor total | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||
| (2018–19) A-League
23 || 1 || 3 || 0 || — || — || 26 || 1 | ||||||||||
| (2019–20) A-League
21 || 2 || 1 || 0 || — || — || 22 || 2 | ||||||||||
| (2020–21) A-League
21 || 1 || 0 || 0 || — || — || 21 || 1 | ||||||||||
| (2021–22) A-League
17 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 5 (AFC CL) || 0 || 25 || 0 | ||||||||||
| Total Melbourne City | 82 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 94 | 4 | ||
| (2022–23) Indian Super League
17 ||1 ||6 (Durand Cup) || 0 ||1 (AFC CL qualifiers) || 0 ||24 ||1 | ||||||||||
| (2023–24) Indian Super League
9 ||1 ||4 (Durand Cup and Super Cup) ||1 ||5 (AFC CL) || 0 ||18 ||2 | ||||||||||
| Mumbai City total | 26 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 42 | 3 | ||
| (2024) NPL WA
15 || 2 || 2 (Australia Cup) ||| — ||| 17 ||| ||| | ||||||||||
| Career total | 349 | 26 | 26 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 388 | 27 | ||
Honours
Central Coast Mariners
- A-League Premiership: 2011–12 season
Melbourne City
Mumbai City
- Indian Super League Premiership: 2022–23 campaign
Australia U-17
- OFC U-17 Championship champion: 2005