Mumbai (Maharashtra)[India], June 1 (ANI): Mumbai City FC announced that Rostyn Griffiths has signed a one-year contract extension with the Club, extending his stay with the Islanders until the end of the 2023-24 season.

The 35-year-old played a crucial role in Mumbai City's successful campaign last season when they secured the Indian Super League Winners' Shield 2022-23 in record-breaking fashion. The Australian centre-back shone through in his debut season with the Islanders with 28 tackles, 14 interceptions and 43 clearances in 17 games, a Mumbai City FC release said.

He also scored a crucial goal against ATK Mohun Bagan in a scintillating 2-2 draw early on in the season.

A key member of Mumbai City's resolute backline that conceded a mere 21 goals in 20 games, Griffiths presence helped make the Islanders boast of one of the meanest defensive records in the league season.

Born in England, Griffiths started his career with Blackburn Rovers before plying his trade in Australia with Adelaide United, North Queensland Fury and Central Coast Mariners. Stints with Guangzhou City (China), Roda JC (Netherlands), Perth Glory (Australia) and Pakhtakor Tashkent (Uzbekistan) followed where he enjoyed considerable success. Griffiths arrived at Mumbai City FC last year in July after a four-year stint in the A-League with fellow CFG club, Melbourne City FC, reuniting with head coach Des Buckingham.

"Extending my contract with Mumbai City excites me. Being a part of this championship-winning team has been an absolute privilege. We had an exceptional season last year and I am eager to take on the challenge of replicating it next season, especially with the AFC Champions League on the horizon. We have a nice mix of youth and experience at our Club, and everyone is working together to build something special.

"The support from the fans has been terrific and their unwavering dedication is something I truly cherish and enjoy about being at this Club. I'm happy to be able to continue on this journey and I'm looking forward to making more memories with the Mumbai City family," Rostyn Griffiths saidDes Buckingham, Head Coach, Mumbai City FC said that having someone like Rostyn Griffiths in our team vitally important. "His experience and versatile skillset make him an invaluable member of our group. Rostyn is a mentor to many of our younger players, and his guidance and leadership have been instrumental in their development so far. To be able to have Rostyn on board was an important building block towards success next season and I am delighted to be able to continue working with him."(ANI)