Brighton to sign Denmark international

August 25, 2024 17:07 GMT (UK), by Ketan Patel

Brighton and Hove Albion have won the race to sign Denmark international midfielder Matt O’Riley from Celtic, as the Hounslow-born 23-year-old has flown to England to undergo a medical. The former Fulham and MK Dons midfielder will sign a five-year contract at the AMEX.

The player, who made a move to Celtic in 2022, had told his club that he wanted a transfer back to England and Celtic’s manager Brendan Rodgers has now confirmed the departure: “He’ll be down in Brighton completing his medical. That move should be done over the course of the next couple of days.”

It is understood that Brighton will pay £25 million for O’Riley, and he is expected to replace the outgoing Billy Gilmour at the Premier League side.

Since arriving at Celtic, O’Riley had an impressive goalscoring record, and last season was particularly special. With 18 goals in 37 Scottish Premiership games, he was arguably one of the best players in the division. It is understood that Chelsea had also expressed an interest in signing O’Riley, but the lack of first-team football at Stamford Bridge would have been a problem for the central midfielder.