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Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold has retained his A-League backline after locking Rhyan Grant and Seb Ryall into his long-term plans.
The defensive stalwarts have re-signed with the Sky Blues for a further two seasons, a move that will make them the club's longest-serving players.
By the end of his contract Grant will stand alone as the first to reach a decade's service while Ryall will join Terry McFlynn on nine years with the club.
It crosses two key squad members off a list of off-contract personnel, leaving 11 players with their futures still up in the air.
With fringe Socceroos Alex Wilkinson and Michael Zullo already signed on until the end of next season -- and barring Matt Jurman's departure -- Sydney will keep the same defensive line-up that's been the cornerstone of a record-breaking campaign.
The undefeated title favourites have 10 clean sheets from 16 games and conceded a measly seven goals -- 14 less than the next best.
Ryall, 27, has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since Wilkinson's first-choice central defensive partner Jurman moved to Korea, but is set to take his place in the first XI on return.
Grant, meanwhile, has been on a fine run of form that's seen the uncapped 25-year-old's name thrown up as a solution to the Socceroos' right-back problem.
"To re-sign was always a priority," Grant said.
"This year we want to win the league, and in the next couple progress in the Asian Champions League." Both cited Arnold's recent decision to sign a two-year contract extension as a factor in re-signing.
The coach, in turn, said the pair were proven quality defenders who would strengthen future championship pushes.
"They've established a reputation for their tenacity and work rate and I'm thrilled to be able to retain them," Arnold said.
"They are Sydney FC icons, they're Sky Blue through and through and they're a major reason we currently sit undefeated in the league with a record number for fewest goals conceded."
Sydney remain in the hunt for Rhys Williams, though Perth appear certain not to release the wantaway defender to a rival before the end of the January transfer window.
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