Rostyn Griffiths
Rostyn Griffiths with Melbourne City in 2019
Personal information
Full name Rostyn John Griffiths[1]
Date of birth (1988-03-10) 10 March 1988
Place of birth Stoke-on-Trent, England
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Centre-back / Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Mumbai City
Number 18
Youth career
ECU Joondalup
2003–2006 Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2009 Blackburn Rovers 0 (0)
2008 → Gretna (loan) 12 (0)
2008 → Accrington Stanley (loan) 13 (1)
2009 Adelaide United 2 (0)
2009–2010 North Queensland Fury 23 (3)
2010–2012 Central Coast Mariners 48 (4)
2012–2014 Guangzhou R&F 34 (1)
2014–2015 Perth Glory 35 (5)
2015–2016 Roda JC 18 (2)
2016–2017 Perth Glory 24 (3)
2017–2018 Pakhtakor Tashkent 16 (0)
2018–2022 Melbourne City 82 (4)
2022– Mumbai City 26 (2)
International career‡
2005 Australia U-17 2 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 05:50, 25 December 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 April 2016

Rostyn John Griffiths (born 10 March 1988) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a defender or defensive midfielder for Indian Super League club Mumbai City. In May 2023 Griffiths signed a one year contract extension following the pivotal role he played in Mumbai City's resounding success during the previous campaign, where they clinched the Indian Super League Winners' Shield for the 2022-23 season in a record-breaking fashion.[2]

Griffiths joined Mumbai City from fellow City Football Group side and A-League outfit Melbourne City FC. The experienced Griffiths won the A-League Premiers Plate and Championship double in the 2020/21 season and also featured in the club's debut continental campaign at the 2022 AFC Champions League, before getting his hands on a second consecutive Premiers Plate in the 2021/22 season.[3]

Griffiths is a former captain of A-League club Perth Glory.[4] In August 2017 it was announced that Griffiths had signed a lucrative deal as a defensive midfielder for Uzbekistan giants Pakhtakor Tashkent in the Uzbek League.[5]

Griffiths is one of the most expensive signings in A-League history, the big defending-midfielder has always been a standout player in the A-League. Griffiths is renowned for his ability to break up the opposition's gameplay and being the central figure to his team's build-up play.

Griffiths starred for Central Coast Mariners from 2010 until he moved to Chinese club Guangzhou R&F in 2012. That departure attracted a $1.3 million transfer fee which remains an A-League record.[6]

Club career

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, Griffiths started his youth career with Australian club ECU Joondalup before moving to England to play for Blackburn Rovers where he never made a senior appearance but during the time he spent at Blackburn he joined Gretna on loan in January 2008.[7] where he made his debut for the side against Heart of Midlothian in February.[8]

Accrington Stanley

He signed a one-year deal with Blackburn in January 2008 and was sent on loan to Accrington Stanley for the remainder of his contract.[9]

Adelaide United

On 3 February 2009 he was signed as an injury replacement player by A-League club Adelaide United. With the initial agreement only covering a four-week stint, there is an option to extend that to a two-year contract.[10] However, it is a permanent deal, and not a loan.

North Queensland Fury

Griffiths playing for North Queensland Fury in 2009.

On 2 July 2009, it was announced that Griffiths would join A-League club North Queensland Fury for their inaugural season. On 8 August 2009 he started in Fury's first A-league match and scored the Fury's first ever goal in a competitive match against Sydney FC.

Guangzhou R&F

On 29 February 2012 it was announced that he had signed for Chinese Super League club Guangzhou for a fee that was undisclosed at the time, but later revealed to be $1.3 million, a record sum for an Australian transfer.[11][12]

Perth Glory (2014–2015)

On 23 January 2014 it was announced that Griffiths returned to the A-League, signing with Perth Glory.[13]

On 4 December 2014, Griffiths scored his first goal of the 2014–15 season against Sydney FC in the 84th minute before Andy Keogh scored in the 86th minute to earn a late 2–1 comeback.[14]

Roda JC

On 26 July 2015, Perth Glory released Griffiths to allow him to sign a two-year deal with newly promoted Eredivise club Roda JC.[15] Following struggles for game-time, Griffiths left Roda JC after one season on 19 April 2016.[16]

Perth Glory (2016–2017)

On 24 July 2016, Griffiths returned once more to the A-League, signing a two-year deal with Perth Glory after trialling with them on their Philippines Tour.[17] On 2 October 2016, he was announced as captain of the club.[18]

Pakhtakor Tashkent

On 1 August 2017, Perth Glory announced that Griffiths would be leaving the club with immediate effect to join Uzbek League side Pakhtakor Tashkent.[19] Griffiths left Pakhtakor in May 2018, citing family reasons.[20]

Melbourne City

On 19 July 2018, Griffiths signed a two-year deal with Melbourne City, joining the club well before the start of the 2018–19 season.[21]

Mumbai City

In July 2022, Mumbai City announced the signing of Griffiths from sister club Melbourne City, on a one-yeal deal.[22] On 18 August, he made his debut for the club against Indian Navy in the Durand Cup, which ended in a 4–1 win.[23][24] With Mumbai City, Griffiths appeared in the group stage matches of 2023–24 AFC Champions League.

International career

Griffiths has played for Australia's National under 17 team, and scored a brace on his debut against Tonga.[25] While he was still playing for Blackburn, he was courted by Wales' national teams, due to a Welsh link on his Grandfather's side but, at that point, had not yet decided on his international allegiance.[26]

Personal life

His younger brother, Brent Griffiths is a retired professional footballer who last played for Penang in the Malaysia Super League. The brothers were together, during their stints in the youth set up of English Premier League side, Blackburn Rovers.

Career statistics

Club

As of 5 August 2023[27]
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Blackburn Rovers 2007–08 Premier League 0000—00
Gretna (loan) 2007–08 Scottish Premier League 12000—120
Accrington Stanley (loan) 2008–09 Football League Two 1312[lower-alpha 1]0—151
Adelaide United 2008–09 A-League 2000—20
North Queensland Fury 2009–10 23200—232
Central Coast Mariners 2010–11 30200—302
2011–12 18200—182
Mariners total 4840000484
Guangzhou R&F 2012 Chinese Super League 1711[lower-alpha 2]0—181
2013 17000—170
Guangzhou R&F total 3411000351
Perth Glory 2013–14 A-League 10200—92
2014–15 2533[lower-alpha 3]0—283
Perth total 3553000385
Roda JC 2015–16 Eredivisie 1822[lower-alpha 4]0—202
Perth Glory 2016–17 A-League 2431[lower-alpha 3]0—253
Pakhtakor Tashkent 2017 Uzbekistan Super League 7000—70
2018 9000—90
Pakhtakor total 1600000160
Melbourne City 2018–19 A-League 2313[lower-alpha 3]0—261
2019–20 2121[lower-alpha 3]0—222
2020–21 21100—211
2021–22 1703[lower-alpha 3]05[lower-alpha 5]0250
Melbourne City total 8247050944
Mumbai City 2022–23 Indian Super League 1716[lower-alpha 6]01[lower-alpha 7]0241
2023–24 001[lower-alpha 6]1—11
Mumbai City total 1717110252
Career total 324232316035324
  1. ↑ Appearance(s) in FA Cup
  2. ↑ Appearance(s) in Chinese FA Cup
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Appearance(s) in Australia Cup
  4. ↑ Appearance(s) in KNVB Cup
  5. ↑ Appearance(s) in AFC Champions League
  6. 1 2 Appearance(s) in Durand Cup
  7. ↑ Appearance(s) in play-offs for AFC Champions League

Honours

Central Coast Mariners

Melbourne City

Mumbai City

Australia U-17

References

  1. ↑ "Rostyn Griffiths". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  2. ↑ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/rostyn-griffiths-signs-one-year-contract-extension-with-mumbai-city-fc/articleshow/100306068.cms?from=mdr
  3. ↑ https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/football/mumbai-city-fc-sign-defender-rostyn-griffiths-on-one-year-deal20220710161940/
  4. ↑ "Glory name Griffiths skipper - Australian FourFourTwo". Archived from the original on 5 October 2016.
  5. ↑ "Money talks in Griffiths' Glory exit". 12 August 2017.
  6. ↑ "Rostyn Griffiths returns to the A-League with Perth Glory | Goal.com".
  7. ↑ "Gretna add two loan youngsters". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2008.
  8. ↑ "Hearts 2–0 Gretna". BBC Sport. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2008.
  9. ↑ Rostyn Griffiths – Blackburn Rovers Official Site Profile Archived 12 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ↑ Adelaide signs Blackburn midfielder Archived 14 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ "Rostyn Griffiths off to China - Official - Australia News - Australian FourFourTwo - the Ultimate Football Website". Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  12. ↑ "Rostyn Griffiths: $1.3m and not even a signed shirt! - Australia News - Australian FourFourTwo - the Ultimate Football Website". Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  13. ↑ "ROSTYN GRIFFITHS RETURNS TO WA". Football Federation Australia. 23 January 2014. Archived from the original on 4 February 2014.
  14. ↑ "Perth Glory beats Sydney FC 2-1 with two late strikes to top A-League ladder". ABC Net. 4 December 2014.
  15. ↑ "Griffiths joins Dutch club Roda JC". Football Federation Australia. 26 July 2015.
  16. ↑ Somerford, Ben (19 April 2016). "Roda Roo Rostyn flies the coop". FourFourTwo.
  17. ↑ "Rostyn returns to Perth Glory on two-year deal". FourFourTwo. 24 July 2016.
  18. ↑ "Glory name Griffiths skipper". FourFourTwo. 2 October 2016.
  19. ↑ "Griffiths exits Glory for Uzbekistan". FourFourTwo. 1 August 2017. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  20. ↑ Somerford, Ben (30 May 2018). "Rostyn Griffiths exits Uzbek giants". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  21. ↑ "Rostyn Griffiths signs with Melbourne City". Melbourne City FC. 19 July 2018.
  22. ↑ "Mumbai City FC complete signing of Rostyn Griffiths". mumbaicityfc.com. 10 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  23. ↑ "Match Report: Mumbai City 4-1 Indian Navy". mumbaicityfc.com. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  24. ↑ "Mumbai City 4 – 1 Indian Navy". the-aiff.com. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  25. ↑ "Oceania Preliminary Competition for the U-17 World Cup 2005".
  26. ↑ "Aussie Rostyn For Wales?". Australian Four Four Two. 26 November 2008. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  27. ↑ Rostyn Griffiths at Soccerway
  28. ↑ "Sportstar Aces Awards 2022: Mumbai City FC wins the Club of the Year award". sportstar.thehindu.com. Sportstar. 19 March 2022. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
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