Matt O’Riley will go down as one of the best Celtic signings of the last decade, if not ever, and will certainly be missed in the green and white hoops.
The Danish international midfielder has confirmed his move to Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday.
Although the fee is officially undisclosed, reports indicate the initial sum is over £25m and could reach as much as £30m with add-ons.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has talked up his ‘special’ ability after his arrival, delighted to land another major signing this summer as they show ambition to push themselves up the English Premier League table.
Matt O’Riley speaks about his move from Celtic to Brighton
Intriguingly, in his first interview down south, O’Riley has revealed Brighton were in negotiations for a ‘couple of months’ to secure his signature with talks apparently going on behind the scenes well before it was reported in the media.
The midfielder spoke to Brighton’s media channel: “I’m very, very happy. It’s definitely taken a while. It got a little bit stressful over the last couple of weeks if I’m honest. The talks were ongoing for a good couple of months. I’m just really happy to be here.
“It was a good while ago. I spoke to the manager on the phone and he did a really good job of selling the club. He told me where I’d fit in in terms of the structure.
“I spoke to a lot of people about the whole feel of the place and the people. I got the impression was really nice. That’s something I like being a part of.
“He didn’t just butter me up like he could have done. There were other clubs looking at me. He was just brutally honest about what he could help me with and what I could improve on. I’m someone who likes to improve a lot.
“It’s hard to leave Celtic. I think people don’t realise how big the club is until you get up there. It’s a real family club. It’s a very unique place in terms of the passion the fans have, that’s something I’ve never experienced before.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I’m still a little bit emotional speaking about it because I have such good memories there. I just felt like the right time for a new challenge for me. I only leave with fond memories.”
Matt O’Riley’s Celtic contribution
O’Riley made 124 appearances for Celtic during his time in Scotland, scoring 27 goals and assisting 35 more. Remarkably, a massive 37 of those direct goal contributions came last season alone.
Along the way he won six trophies and won a drawerful of individual rewards, lauded for being the best player at the club throughout 2023/24.
Everyone at Celtic will wish him all the best, as will most Bhoys supporters. He was a joy to watch in a Celtic shirt and I hope he smashes it at Brighton. Good luck Matt!
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