RICHIE RYAN feared for his footballing future when he was left in limbo over the winter.

But the former Sligo Rovers star has now joined one of the biggest clubs in America.

4 Richie Ryan is happy to have his future secure at FC Cincinnati Credit: Alamy

The 33-year-old has made the switch from Miami in the North American Soccer League (NASL) to FC Cincinnati in the United Soccer League (USL).

The move ended months of concern and uncertainty for Ryan.

It stemmed from the US Soccer Federation’s decision to deny the NASL Division 2 status last year.

After a legal challenge failed, the NASL cancelled the entire 2018 campaign as clubs folded or moved to rival competitions.

4 The NASL cancelled their entire 2018 campaign Credit: Alamy

Ryan watched it all unfold while fretting over his future.

The court case resulted in the NASL postponing the start of their season and clubs such as Miami opted to enter the semi-pro United Premier Soccer League (UPSL).

NASL champions San Francisco Deltas folded amid the mayhem.

Which is why Tipperary man Ryan figured that a move away from Miami would be the best course of action for all concerned.

He told SunSport: “Miami are going to play NPSL games at the training ground with bleachers around the training pitch.

“Never mind it feeling like the longest pre-season of my life, I thought it could be the last season of my life.

“The NASL future was up in the air. Playing in a semi-pro league was definitely not going to be good for getting a contract somewhere else.

“I’m 34 next January, I’d be out of contract with Miami and, with the way things were, they weren’t offering me a long deal right now.”

But Ryan has no gripes with his former club. He highlighted the fact that while other clubs cut players under contract, the Florida outfit assured staff that all deals agreed would be honoured.

4 Ryan was fearful for his future at Miami Credit: Alamy

He revealed: “Miami were brilliant, I couldn’t fault them. They promised the players we’d get our wages if we were under contract. In that regard it was nice that you didn’t have that worry hanging over you.

“Mind you, I did think about December 31st at the end of this year, when I had no money coming in.”

Fortunately, after Miami told Ryan that they would release him if he wanted to move on, he landed on his feet with an approach from Cincinnati.

It was a case of perfect timing as, within days of making the switch, the NASL cancelled their entire 2018 season. It will be next year at the earliest before they are up and running again.

Whereas other players in similar positions as Ryan are finding that clubs had blown their budgets, Cincinnati were desperate to sign one of the NASL stars and made him a good offer.

Ryan explained: “It’s a two-year deal. I want to play on as long as I can — as long as I am achieving the standards that I have set for myself.

“It’s really nice to get things sorted and know you have that security again.”

4 Ryan is happy to have the security again Credit: Alamy

Not only that, but Ryan knew even before meeting club officials he was joining one of the biggest clubs in the USA. He said: “I’ve come to the biggest club outside the MLS. The average home gate is 21,000 — there are clubs in the Championship in England that don’t have that volume of support.

“It’s nice I had this opportunity to come to a club like this and get that buzz to play in front of big crowds again.”

Ryan is now counting down the days to the start of the USL season on St Patrick’s Day as he settles into his new surroundings.

His family — second child Preston arrived just six months ago — are with him this week as they look for houses and schools, though he guesses that it will be Easter before a permanent move to Ohio is made.

Another bonus for Ryan is that there will be a familiar face in the dressing room in Cincinnati in fellow Irishman Paddy Barrett, who joined from Dundalk over the winter.

He revealed: “The first thing that I said when I was introduced to him in the dressing room again was, ‘Jesus Christ, you’ve grown up!’

“He was always a tank but he’s after growing taller. He’s got a set of shoulders on him as well. He’s a very good defender and I’m sure he’ll do well here.

“I know Paddy, as he was in the Dundee United youth team when I was there. I put him in touch with my agent when he was thinking of moving over this way and now I’m playing with him.

“It’s good to know someone when you go into a dressing room for the first time.

“Now I’m just looking forward to getting started.”