Ryan recently completed his move back to Rovers after previously spending a short loan period with the club. In his first interview he talks about what has attracted him to the club and what he is looking to achieve this time around.

Welcome back to Rovers and this time on a permanent transfer! How does it feel to be back again?

I’m really happy to be back at the Club and this time permanently. During my short loan spell in 2019 I was very impressed with the Club and knew that this would be where I would play when I moved back to Mahe.

Your first loan spell with Rovers was short but you left a good impression on everyone. How has the team changed since 2019 when you were last here?

The Club has really progressed over the last few years since I was here. There is more quality in the team and more maturity in the tactics. What hasn’t changed is the big ambitions which they always had.

One of the most memorable moments of 2019/20 season was our 4-1 win over title rivals Bel Air FC which ultimately won us the title and promotion that year. You were part of our winning team but were also living in Bel Air at the time and still do today. Have your neighbours forgiven you yet?

This was a day of joy because of the importance of the result and the opponent. It was also emotional for me to face some of my childhood friends and neighbours. But once you are on the pitch it doesn’t matter who the opponent because always the objective is to win the game.

How would you describe your playing style and what qualities will you bring to the team?

When we have the ball I like to keep it moving and when we don’t I like to fight to recover it. I feel I have improved since I was last here. I come back as a more experienced player who is ready to help the team. But also with the help of my new teammates, coaches and management I hope to continue to develop and grow.

At Anse Reunion you showed your versatility  playing various positions including defensive midfield, central defence and full back. What is your favourite position and why?

At Anse Reunion I was referred to as the ‘joker’ because I could fill any position! I most enjoy playing as a centre back or #6 as it requires intelligence and reading of the game.

Your ex-coach Juel Ah-Kong from Anse Reunion is now also at Rovers. How does it help that you have both worked together in the past?

It’s great to be working with coach Ah-Kong again. He has been important to my development as a young player especially when he had faith in me to lead the back line for Anse Reunion. 

What are your ambitions for the remainder of the season?

There are still a lot of games to be played. I want to take every single game as if it’s a final and to push myself and my teammates to the limit of everything we got.

Rovers have made no secret of their ambitions to fight for promotion to the Premier League. What is it going to take to achieve that?

We need to continue to put in the hard work on the training field and keep believing in ourselves.