New signing Ryan Griffiths admits the Reds’ playing style was a significant reason behind his decision to make Adelaide United his new club.
New signing Ryan Griffiths admits the Reds- playing style was a significant reason behind his decision to make Adelaide United his new club.
The younger brother of fellow professional footballers Joel and Adam Griffiths, the latter of whom made four appearances in the Reds- 2010 Asian Champions League campaign, 32 year old Ryan-s tenure in China came to an end two months ago.
On the hunt for the next chapter in his career, Griffiths revealed he thought his time playing in the Hyundai A-League had come to an end once he left the Newcastle Jets at the end of last season.
But upon his availability, the Reds plus a number of other A-League clubs cam knocking and now he finds himself in Adelaide and in contention to line up against the Brisbane Roar on Saturday.
“I was actually looking at places in Asia to go and I got the phone call from Adelaide, it was a great offer, the club seemed really keen to get me on board so that was a major factor,” Griffiths said on his reason to sign with the Reds until the end of the season.
“Another factor is they play a really nice brand of football and it is something I feel I can come straight into.”
Since leaving China, Griffiths has been back in Newcastle training with the Jets but it is under the guidance of Reds Coach Josep Gombau that he will continue to play his football, something he is excited about.
“The deal came about really quickly. I think maybe Adelaide saw me training at the Jets and their eyebrows raised…I did get a few calls from some other A-League clubs but in all honesty Adelaide was pretty much the place I wanted to go just for the fact that they like to play the football that I like to play and I think I will be able to fit into this style,” Griffiths said.
A winger who knows how to find the back of the net, Griffiths is preparing to make the trip to face the Roar due to the Reds- lack of available personnel this weekend.
“In all honesty I-m not sure where I-m at in terms of match fitness, I haven-t played for two months so it would be nice to ease my way in but it might not be that way,” Griffiths said after completing his first training session with his new team mates.