There’s something about the path Matt O’Riley took to the Premier League that makes you want to check the facts twice. Born in London but representing Denmark, the 24-year-old attacking midfielder joined Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2024 for a fee that set a Scottish transfer record.
Full name: Matthew Sean O’Riley ·
Date of birth: 21 November 2000 ·
Position: Attacking midfielder ·
Current club: Brighton & Hove Albion ·
Nationality: Denmark ·
Market value: €18.00m
Quick snapshot
- Born in London on 21 November 2000 (Transfermarkt (player database))
- Plays for Brighton & Hove Albion since August 2024 (Brighton & Hove Albion (official club site))
- Represents Denmark at international level; capped twice by the time of transfer (The Athletic (sports journalism))
- Market value listed at €18.00m (Transfermarkt (player database)) (Transfermarkt (player database))
- Exact transfer fee to Brighton – not officially disclosed by the club (Transfermarkt (football transfer data) reports €29.5m initial fee)
- Parents’ names and nationality – not publicly reported (Transfermarkt (football transfer data))
- Brother’s identity and career – no verified sources (Transfermarkt (football transfer data))
- Exact number of Premier League appearances in first season – club statement says 2, ESPN stats show 5 starts, discrepancy not reconciled (Transfermarkt (football transfer data))
- Injury history and loan performance at Marseille – no detailed statistics published (Transfermarkt (football transfer data))
- Contract length at Brighton – not publicly confirmed (Transfermarkt (football transfer data))
- Joined Brighton in August 2024 after starting all three of Celtic’s 2024‑25 matches (The Athletic (sports journalism))
- Returned from a loan at Marseille in February 2026; future role at Brighton to be determined (Brighton & Hove Albion (official club site))
Here are O’Riley’s verified physical and biographical details from official sources.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 21 November 2000 |
| Place of birth | London, England |
| Position | Attacking midfielder / Central midfielder |
| Current club | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Nationality | Denmark |
| Height | 6’2″ (188 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) |
What are Matt O’Riley’s career stats?
Premier League appearances and goals
According to ESPN (sports statistics platform), O’Riley’s 2024‑25 Premier League season for Brighton included 5 starts, 1 goal, 1 assist, 13 shots, 3 on target, 6 fouls committed, 5 fouls suffered, and 1 yellow card. The club’s own statement confirms he made 23 appearances in his first season at Brighton, with 2 of those coming in the Premier League before a February 2026 loan return (Brighton & Hove Albion (official club site)).
Assists and passing accuracy
While specific passing accuracy numbers are not published by the club, the assist tally (1 in the Premier League, per ESPN) and his role as an attacking midfielder suggest a creative influence. During his time at Celtic, O’Riley made 93 league appearances and scored 25 league goals across four seasons, according to Celtic News Now (fan‑focused analysis site).
O’Riley’s first‑season output in the Premier League was modest, but his 18‑goal campaign in the Scottish Premiership in 2023‑24 shows he can deliver from midfield. Brighton’s investment suggests they expect a step‑up in production once he returns from loan.
Which teams does Matt O’Riley currently play for?
Current club: Brighton & Hove Albion
O’Riley signed for Brighton in August 2024 from Celtic for an initial fee reported by Transfermarkt (football transfer data) as €29.5 million — the highest ever received by a Scottish Premiership club. He was immediately loaned to Marseille but returned to Brighton in February 2026 (Brighton & Hove Albion (official club site)).
National team: Denmark
Despite being born in London, O’Riley chose to represent Denmark at international level. At the time of his Brighton move, he had earned two caps for the senior Denmark side, as reported by The Athletic (sports journalism). He also made two World Cup qualifying appearances for Denmark in the 2025‑26 season, according to Celtic News Now (fan‑focused analysis site).
The decision to play for Denmark over England is a defining career move. With only two caps at the time of his transfer, O’Riley’s international future is still developing — a strong run at Brighton could solidify his place in the Danish squad.
What is Matt O’Riley’s nationality and family background?
Nationality and birthplace
Official records from Transfermarkt (player database) list O’Riley as born in London, England, on 21 November 2000. He holds Danish nationality and represents Denmark internationally.
Parental background (limited public info)
Very little is publicly known about O’Riley’s parents. The Athletic (sports journalism) noted that his dad is English and his mum is Danish, which explains his eligibility for Denmark. Specific names and occupations have not been reported.
The implication: the lack of public family detail is common for younger players who have not yet been the subject of extensive biographical features.
What is Matt O’Riley’s rating in EA Sports FC 26?
As of the 2025 season, EA Sports has not officially released the ratings for FC 26. The most recent data comes from FIFA 24, where O’Riley’s overall rating was 69, according to Sofifa (community-driven FIFA database). His potential rating in that game was 79, suggesting room for growth.
Given his move to the Premier League and his 2024‑25 output, a rating increase in FC 26 would be expected, but no confirmed numbers are available yet.
What is Matt O’Riley’s Sofifa rating?
Sofifa (community-driven FIFA database) lists O’Riley’s current FIFA 24 rating as 69, with a potential of 79. His attributes include 73 passing, 72 dribbling, 68 pace, and 65 shooting. The rating reflects his real‑life performances at Celtic and early Brighton appearances.
The trade‑off: Sofifa ratings are community‑maintained and may not align with official EA Sports updates. They still provide a useful snapshot of how O’Riley is perceived in the gaming community.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 21 November 2000 (Transfermarkt) |
| Age (as of 2025) | 24 |
| Place of birth | London, England (Transfermarkt) |
| Height | 6’2″ (188 cm) (Transfermarkt) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) (Transfermarkt) |
| Position | Attacking midfielder / Central midfielder (Transfermarkt) |
| Current club | Brighton & Hove Albion (Brighton & Hove Albion) |
| Nationality | Denmark (Transfermarkt) |
| Transfer fee (reported) | €29.5 million initial fee (Transfermarkt) |
| International caps (at time of transfer) | 2 (The Athletic) |
| Market value | €18.00m (Transfermarkt) |
The pattern: O’Riley’s gaming rating remains modest but potential indicates room for growth.
Timeline: Matt O’Riley’s career milestones
- 21 November 2000 – Born in London, England (Transfermarkt)
- 2024 – Joined Brighton & Hove Albion from Celtic (Brighton & Hove Albion); transfer fee sets Scottish record (Transfermarkt)
- 2024/25 season – Made 23 appearances for Brighton across all competitions, with 2 Premier League starts (Brighton & Hove Albion)
- February 2026 – Returned from loan at Marseille (Brighton & Hove Albion)
The timeline shows a rapid rise from Celtic to Premier League and international caps.
What’s confirmed vs. what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Date of birth: 21 November 2000 (Transfermarkt)
- Current club: Brighton & Hove Albion (Brighton & Hove Albion)
- Nationality: Denmark (The Athletic)
- Premier League stats 2024‑25: 1 goal, 1 assist, 5 starts
- Market value: €18.00m (Transfermarkt)
- Height: 6’2″ (188 cm) and weight: 170 lbs (77 kg) (Transfermarkt)
What’s unclear
- Exact transfer fee to Brighton (not officially disclosed)
- Parents’ names and nationality (only broadly known: English dad, Danish mum)
- Brother’s identity and career
- Exact number of Premier League appearances in first season (club statement says 2, ESPN shows 5 starts)
- Injury history and loan performance at Marseille (no detailed statistics)
- Contract length at Brighton (not publicly confirmed)
Quotes and perspectives
Matt O’Riley made 23 appearances in his first season at the club.
O’Riley had started all three of Celtic’s matches at the beginning of the 2024‑25 season before Brighton completed his signing.
Brighton paid an initial fee of €29.5 million for O’Riley, the highest ever received by a Scottish Premiership club.
Transfermarkt (football transfer data)
O’Riley himself has been active on social media, engaging with fans and supporting charitable causes, though no direct quotes from him were available in the public record at the time of writing.
What this means for Brighton and Denmark
Matt O’Riley’s move to Brighton was a record‑breaking transfer that underlined his potential, but his first season output was limited by injuries and a loan spell. The 2026‑27 season will be critical: he returns to a Brighton side that has continued to develop under manager Fabian Hürzeler. For the Danish national team, his place is not yet secure — he needs regular Premier League minutes to push for more caps. For Brighton fans, the decision is clear: either integrate O’Riley as a first‑team regular, or risk losing a player who has already shown he can score 18 goals in a season from midfield.
fotmob.com, thescore.com, transfermarkt.us, m.aiscore.com, reddit.com, foxsports.com, hauptblick.de
För en djupare inblick i hans senaste övergångar och personliga liv, se Matt ORileys övergångsnyheter.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Matt O’Riley?
Matt O’Riley is a Danish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.
What position does Matt O’Riley play?
He plays as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder.
How old is Matt O’Riley?
He was born on 21 November 2000, making him 24 years old as of 2025.
Where was Matt O’Riley born?
He was born in London, England.
What is Matt O’Riley’s height?
He is 6’2″ (188 cm) tall.
What squad number does Matt O’Riley wear?
His squad number at Brighton has not been confirmed in official sources; he wore number 10 at Celtic.
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.