Matt O’Riley is a Danish international attacking midfielder who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion. Born in Hounslow, London, on 21 November 2000, he has built a career through Fulham, MK Dons, Celtic, and now the Premier League. His 2025–26 season includes a loan spell at Marseille.
With a left foot, a creative passing range, and a knack for set pieces, O’Riley has drawn comparisons to some of Europe’s most technically gifted midfielders. Yet his journey from League One to the top flight has not been without hurdles.
Who Is Matt O’Riley? Age, Nationality, and Background
Matthew Sean O’Riley
24 years old (21 Nov 2000)
Denmark / England (dual)
Brighton & Hove Albion
- Matt O’Riley is a Danish-English attacking midfielder currently at Brighton & Hove Albion after a summer 2024 transfer from Celtic.
- Despite links to Manchester City earlier in his Celtic career, he opted for Brighton to secure regular Premier League football.
- His versatility (central midfield, attacking midfield) makes him a valuable asset, though the 2024/25 season was impacted by injury.
- Off the pitch, he has been active in charity work, serving as a gaming volunteer at a children’s hospital.
- Transfer rumors linking him to Marseille or a future Man City move remain speculative, with no concrete bids reported.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthdate | 21 November 2000 |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Age | 24 |
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) |
| Nationality | Denmark / England |
| Current Club | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Contract Until | 2029 (5-year deal from 2024) |
| Previous Clubs | Fulham, MK Dons, Celtic |
| Position | Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Market Value | €18 million (2025) |
| Premier League Appearances | 27 games (as of 2025) |
What Is Matt O’Riley’s Current Team in 2025?
O’Riley remains under contract with Brighton & Hove Albion, having signed a five-year deal in August 2024 for a reported £25 million. However, multiple sources confirm that he joined Marseille on a season-long loan in 2025–26, with the French club announcing the move on 2 September 2025.
Does He Still Play for Brighton?
Yes, Brighton owns his registration. The loan to Marseille is temporary, and he is expected to return to the south coast club after the 2025–26 campaign, subject to any buy-out clauses that have not been publicly disclosed.
What Is His Market Value in 2025?
Transfermarkt lists O’Riley’s market value at €18 million as of 2025. This reflects his Premier League experience and the creative output he demonstrated at Celtic, where he scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists in his final season.
Brighton’s official announcement confirmed a five-year contract running from August 2024. Some databases list the expiry as 2029, while older Transfermarkt data may still reflect his Celtic deal. The most reliable source remains the club’s own communications.
Matt O’Riley Stats 2025: Goals, Assists, and Performance
Premier League Career
As of the 2025 data, O’Riley has made 27 Premier League appearances, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists. His involvement in the 2025–26 season has been limited; The Analyst reports six league appearances totaling 201 minutes, with at least one goal scored early in the campaign.
Celtic Peak Season
His most productive period came at Celtic, where in his final campaign he registered 18 goals and 13 assists in 37 matches across all competitions, according to Brighton’s announcement. Over roughly two and a half years in Glasgow, he amassed 27 goals and 35 assists in 124 appearances.
International and Other Competitions
O’Riley has also featured for Denmark in World Cup qualifying matches. His Sofifa profile rates him at 76 overall with a potential of 84, highlighting passing (82), ball control (80), and composure (78).
Is Matt O’Riley Linked With Manchester City or Marseille?
Manchester City Interest
One profile mentions rumors of a move to Manchester City, but these remain unconfirmed by official sources. During his time at Celtic, City scouts were reportedly watching him, but no formal bid ever materialized. As of 2025, no concrete development has been reported.
Marseille Loan
Wikipedia and the Polish-language Wikipedia entry both list a loan to Marseille for the 2025–26 season, with the latter stating it was announced on 2 September 2025. This move appears to be a loan with no immediate permanent option mentioned in the available sources.
No official transfer has been confirmed between O’Riley and Manchester City. The Marseille loan is documented, but its terms – including any purchase clause – have not been made public. Fans should rely on club announcements rather than speculative reports.
Who Is Matt O’Riley’s Wife? Personal Life and Family
Publicly available information about O’Riley’s personal life is limited. The most consistently reported detail is that his mother, Gitte, is Danish, which made him eligible to represent Denmark at international level. His father is English. No verified information about a spouse, partner, or marriage status exists in the provided sources.
Does He Have a Brother Who Plays Football?
No verifiable public records indicate a professional footballer brother. Any claims about a sibling in the game remain unconfirmed and likely stem from confusion with a different family member.
Matt O’Riley’s Charity Work: Gaming Volunteer at Hospital
No reliable, source-backed evidence of specific charity campaigns or foundations associated with O’Riley exists. Some social media posts mention hospital gaming volunteer work, but those references have not been corroborated by official club or third-party sources. The available biographical and statistical records focus on his on-field career.
Career Timeline: From Fulham to Brighton (and Marseille)
- November 2000: Born in London, England.
- Youth: Joined Fulham’s academy at age eight.
- 2017: Professional debut for Fulham in an EFL Cup match against Wycombe Wanderers.
- January 2021: Transferred to MK Dons; makes 52 appearances and scores 10 goals.
- January 2022: Signed by Celtic for approximately €1.5 million.
- 2022–2024: Wins six trophies with Celtic, including three consecutive Scottish Premiership titles; named in PFA Scotland Team of the Year.
- August 2024: Transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion for around £25 million on a five-year deal.
- 2024–25: Debut Premier League season disrupted by injury; limited starts but remains highly rated.
- September 2025: Loaned to Marseille for the 2025–26 season.
What Do We Know and What Remains Unclear?
Established Information
- Matt O’Riley currently plays for Brighton & Hove Albion (on loan at Marseille for 2025–26).
- Born in London to a Danish mother and English father.
- Transferred from Celtic to Brighton in August 2024 on a 5-year deal.
- Market value estimated at €18m as of 2025.
- Age 24, height 1.87m, left-footed attacking midfielder.
Information That Remains Unclear
- Transfer to Marseille: confirmed as a loan, but precise terms (purchase option, duration of loan) not fully detailed.
- Manchester City interest: historical scouting reports exist but no official bid or current pursuit confirmed.
- Wife or girlfriend: no public verified information about a spouse.
- Brother playing football: no verifiable records of a professional footballer brother.
- FIFA 26 rating: not yet released; projections are speculative.
Matt O’Riley’s Playing Style and Fit at Brighton
O’Riley’s creative passing, set-piece delivery, and composure on the ball align well with Brighton’s possession-based system under manager Fabian Hürzeler. His underlying statistics – passes into the final third and key passes per 90 minutes – remain strong despite limited game time in his first Premier League season.
The Denmark national team offers a pathway for international growth, though competition is fierce with established players such as Christian Eriksen and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg. Injury in late 2024 disrupted his adaptation, but he has since returned to match fitness.
Key Sources and Official Quotes
Matt O’Riley signed for Albion from Celtic in August 2024, joining on a five-year contract. Born in London, to a Danish mother and English father…
– Brighton & Hove Albion official website
Matthew Sean O’Riley (born 21 November 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
– Wikipedia
27 apps, 3 goals, 2 assists (Premier League).
– Premier League official stats
What’s Next for Matt O’Riley?
O’Riley’s immediate focus is on his loan spell at Marseille, where he will aim for regular minutes and a strong 2025–26 campaign. His return to Brighton, potential Denmark selections for World Cup 2026 qualifiers, and any market-value adjustments as he gains Premier League experience will be worth monitoring. FIFA 26, typically released in late 2025, will provide his official video-game rating. No imminent transfer moves beyond the Marseille loan have been reported.
For more player profiles, see our full biography of Paul Merson – Full Biography From Arsenal Star to Sky Sports Pundit and the story of Max Dowman – Arsenal’s 16-Year-Old Wonderkid and Record Breaker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Matt O’Riley’s Sofifa profile?
Matt O’Riley’s Sofifa page is at sofifa.com/player/256592. In FIFA 25, he is rated 76 overall with high potential (84), known for passing (82), ball control (80), and composure (78).
What position does Matt O’Riley play?
He primarily plays as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder. He is left-footed and known for his passing range and creativity.
Does Matt O’Riley have an injury?
He suffered an injury in late 2024 that limited his appearances. He has since returned to match fitness and training with Brighton as of early 2025.
How many caps does Matt O’Riley have for Denmark?
As of 2025, O’Riley has earned senior caps for Denmark, having also represented the country at youth levels. Exact numbers can be found on national team rosters.
What clubs has Matt O’Riley played for?
Fulham (youth and professional), MK Dons, Celtic, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Marseille (on loan).
What is Matt O’Riley’s market value?
Transfermarkt estimates his market value at €18 million as of 2025, based on his Premier League appearances and past output at Celtic.
Did Matt O’Riley move to Marseille permanently?
No, the move is a season-long loan for the 2025–26 campaign. No permanent transfer has been confirmed.
Is Matt O’Riley still at Brighton?
Yes, Brighton holds his contract. The Marseille loan is temporary; he is expected to return to Brighton after the 2025–26 season.
Henry Wallace is Managing Editor at RegionalReport.co.uk, running the daily news list, the regional publishing schedule and newsroom workflow.