Maty Ryan has endured a tough start to life with new side Real Sociedad after they confirmed the Australian goalkeeper requires surgery on a knee injury.
The La Liga club have revealed the Socceroos star injured his right knee during training last week and is set to undergo an arthroscopy on Monday.
Ryan only completed his move to Spain less than a fortnight ago and now faces around four to six weeks on the sidelines meaning he will miss the start of the season with Sociedad, who start their new campaign against Barcelona on August 16.
The Spanish side confirmed their double injury blow on Sunday with former Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal also set to miss a few weeks with a knee issue.
"He (Ryan) twisted his right knee during training action last Wednesday. After performing the complementary tests, a lesion was observed in the cartilage of the external tibial plateau," a Real Sociedad club statement read.
"On Monday he will undergo an arthroscopy, which will be carried out by Dr. Mikel Sánchez at the Vithas San José de Gasteiz Clinic."
While Ryan is yet to take to the pitch for his new cub, the Aussie made a positive first impression when he spoke in Spanish for the majority of his first press conference.
The 29-year-old will be hoping for a more successful second stint in Spain having struggled with Valencia during his time there between 2015-2017.
Ryan's early injury blow means he now faces an even tougher battle to dislodge Real Sociedad's current number one keeper Alex Remiro, who started in the club's recent 3-1 friendly win against Alaves.
Speaking earlier this month, the Socceroo revealed a former Arsenal teammate convinced him to make the move back to Spain.
"I have spoken a lot with Martin Odegaard and he has told me many things about the club and all positive things," Ryan said.
"I am looking forward to starting and being part of this family. I'm going to try to give everything I have to the club with my qualities as a goalkeeper.
"I come to work hard. We’ll see the opportunities that come out. You cannot achieve anything without hard work and without competing.
"With my experience, I hope I can help the team, which is on the right way. In recent seasons they have achieved many things.
"I hope I can contribute here at La Real with what I have, as a goalkeeper and as a person. I am here to help the team achieve our goals for this season, and to stay on the right way, as I said."