Veart: Kitto’s best football still to come as left-back signs three-season Reds extension

Adelaide United head coach Carl Veart believes Ryan Kitto can rise to new heights throughout the duration of his freshly inked three-season contract extension with the club.

Kitto, 27, has established himself as an essential member of Veart’s first XI , swapping left wing for left-back on his way to registering 148 games for the club – the seventh-best of any player in Reds history. 

After securing Kitto’s signature on Thursday evening, Reds boss Veart challenged his versatile defender to elevate his game and continue to provide leadership to a youthful Adelaide squad.

“Ryan was superb for us last season and definitely one of the most consistent members of our squad,” Veart said.

“He is extremely professional and takes immense pride in his craft.

“The added responsibility he has carried by being part of the leadership group has only elevated his game, as well as being a very positive example for our younger players.

“Ryan has been a great servant for our club and the length of this contract shows our faith in him, with his best football, I still believe, ahead of him as he enters his prime years.”

Kitto made just two Reds appearances in his first stint at the club in 2013-14, returning ahead of the 2016-17 campaign to establish himself as a mainstay in the first team. 

After competing with Noah Smith for minutes at left-back in 2020-21, Kitto quickly established himself as the first-choice in his positional battle with Joshua Cavallo in 2021-22, going on to make more starts and play more minutes than in any single prior campaign in the Isuzu UTE A-League.

Kitto says he’s excited to be a part of the club’s future.

“I’m extremely happy to be continuing my career with Adelaide United,” he said.

“It’s my hometown team and this is a really special group to be involved in.

“I truly believe we’re building something really promising under Carl (Veart) and the future is going to be very bright for the Club.

“Carl is a coach that has instilled a lot of confidence in me and I want to reciprocate that belief he has shown in me by continuing to perform well for the team and our supporters.”