Brighton Secures Celtic Midfielder Matt O’Riley in Record Transfer Deal
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has officially confirmed the imminent transfer of midfielder Matt O’Riley to Premier League club Brighton. The 23-year-old, who has been a standout performer for Celtic since joining in January 2022, was notably absent from Sunday’s league match against St Mirren as he prepares to finalize his move to Brighton.
In an interview with BBC Scotland, Rodgers stated, “He’ll be down in Brighton completing his medical. That move should be done over the course of the next couple of days.” O’Riley, who has earned two caps for Denmark, leaves Celtic having scored an impressive 27 goals in 125 appearances for the club. During his time at Celtic, O’Riley has contributed significantly to the team’s success, winning six winners’ medals, including three Scottish Premiership titles.
Rodgers praised O’Riley’s dedication and work ethic, saying, “He has been absolutely magnificent in this last year. He gave everything to the team and the club. Right up to his very last day, he was out doing extra work. That shows the mentality he has.” The move to the Premier League represents a significant milestone in O’Riley’s career, and Rodgers expressed his happiness for the player while emphasizing Celtic’s commitment to pushing forward.
Record Transfer Fee Expected
The transfer of Matt O’Riley to Brighton is set to break records, with the fee potentially constituting a Celtic and Scottish record transfer sum. The Scottish champions were adamant about surpassing the fees paid for previous transfers, such as Jota’s move to Al-Ittihad last summer and Kieran Tierney’s £25 million transfer to Arsenal in 2019. O’Riley’s departure stands to generate a substantial profit for Celtic, who initially signed the London-born midfielder for a reported fee of £1.5 million.
Rodgers commented on the financial aspects of the transfer, stating, “The club have done great from a business perspective. From a football perspective, we’re sad to lose a top player.” Despite the financial gains, Celtic will now turn their focus to recruiting new talent to bolster the squad, particularly in the midfield department.
Interest from Top Clubs
Prior to his move to Brighton, Matt O’Riley attracted interest from several top clubs, including Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Chelsea, and Southampton. Celtic had previously rejected an approach from Atletico Madrid in January, highlighting O’Riley’s appeal to clubs across Europe. The midfielder’s skill and potential have not gone unnoticed, with multiple clubs vying for his signature.
Rodgers acknowledged the interest in O’Riley, saying, “Players will come and go at Celtic, but the structure and the way we play will always stay the same.” The manager emphasized the importance of maintaining Celtic’s style of play while seeking to strengthen the squad with new additions.
Looking Ahead
With the departure of Matt O’Riley, Celtic will now shift their focus to reinforcing the squad ahead of a demanding season. Rodgers expressed his desire to bring in new recruits, particularly in the midfield positions, to ensure depth and competition within the team. The manager emphasized the need for strategic recruitment to enhance the squad’s capabilities moving forward.
“Ideal scenario, we wouldn’t have to do so much business in the last week (of the transfer window),” Rodgers remarked. “However, there is still time for us to do something and improve the squad.” As Celtic prepares for a challenging season ahead, the club remains committed to maintaining its competitive edge and pursuing success on all fronts.