- Brighton signs Celtic star O’Riley for a record £25 million, marking the highest fee received by a Scottish club.
- O’Riley has committed to a five-year contract, keeping him at Brighton until June 2029.
- During his time at Celtic, O’Riley scored 27 goals in over 125 appearances and contributed to three league titles.
- Brighton aims to strengthen their squad as they pursue European competition.
Matt O’Riley has officially transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion from Celtic for an estimated fee of £25 million, marking a significant achievement in his career as well as in the Scottish Premiership.
The 23-year-old Denmark international has signed a five-year deal with Brighton, which will keep him at the club until June 2029. This transfer not only underscores O’Riley’s remarkable growth but also establishes a new record for the highest fee ever received by a Scottish club, surpassing Celtic’s previous records for players such as Jota and Kieran Tierney.
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During his tenure at Celtic, Matt O’Riley made over 125 appearances, scoring 27 goals and providing many assists, which contributed to the club’s dominance in Scottish football, including three league titles. His last season was particularly impressive, as he scored 19 goals and provided 18 assists, earning him several player of the year awards. Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hürzeler, expressed excitement about O’Riley’s unique skill set, highlighting his capacity to effectively exploit and attack spaces while also contributing defensively.
🚨🔵 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Brighton complete signing of Matt O'Riley (23) from Celtic!
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) August 26, 2024
£25m fee + add-ons, as per @FabrizioRomano. 🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/lFcQV787fo
The transfer to Brighton is perceived as a strategic move for both the player and the club. For O’Riley, this represents a chance to advance his career in a competitive league while continuing to hone his skills. Brighton, currently sitting in second place in the Premier League, aims to bolster their squad as they seek European competition. O’Riley’s addition is expected to strengthen their attacking options and add a creative element to the midfield.
Conversely, Celtic now faces the task of finding a replacement for a player who played a crucial role in their success. The club had previously turned down multiple offers for O’Riley, including substantial bids from Atalanta and Atletico Madrid, reflecting their high regard for his talents.
As they move forward, Celtic will need to seek a fitting substitute to fill the gap left by O’Riley’s exit, which may lead them into the transfer market for a proven attacking midfielder.
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