Matt O’Riley’s post Celtic career takes another twist after the midfielder returned to Brighton from Marseille on transfer deadline day.
The former Celtic midfielder has had an indifferent start to his EPL career after O’Riley suffered a horrific injury on his Brighton debut.
That put O’Riley’s start at Brighton on the back foot as the former Celtic man was shipped out on loan at French Ligue 1 giants Marseille.
Matt O’Riley returns to Brighton.
Would you have him back at Celtic?
Matt O'Riley's goals and assists record at Celtic and Marseille.
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After 15 games and impressing at Marseille, O’Riley now finds himself back at Brighton and now Celtic fans know why.
Matt O'Riley celebrates scoring against FC Metz for Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1 McDonald's.
Photo by Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Fabian Hürzeler explains why Celtic hero Matt O’Riley returned to Brighton on Deadline Day
Brighton are currently sitting 13th in the English Premier League. The Seagulls have no chance of being relegated but do have an outside chance of reaching the European places.
And that appears to be the reason why the Brighton boss has decided to bring O’Riley back to the south coast club.
Head coach Fabian Hurzeler told Brighton’s official website, “We’re pleased to welcome Matt back to the club. We know all about his qualities, and I have no doubt he will settle back into the group very quickly.
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“He’s had a good spell with Marseille, playing regular domestic football and in the Champions League, and we believe he can positively impact the team in the second half of the season.”
How Marseille valued Celtic hero Matt O’Riley
O’Riley made an instant impact at Marseille during his short spell at the French club impressing domestically and in the Champions League.
Marseille’s sporting director Mehdi Benatia once said about the former Celtic star in Sports.fr, “If Matt continues like this, we’ll do everything to keep him permanently.”
Roberto de Zerbi, who bought O’Riley from Celtic, was a huge fan of the midfielder as he said, “What does O’Riley bring to the team? First of all, he’s left-footed, and that’s important in our style of play.
“His body positioning is different from Højbjerg’s; he can get involved in the game and score goals.”
Unfortunately for the French club, O’Riley returns to Brighton and it appears the chance to buy the former Celtic man has gone, for now.
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