Former MK Dons star Matt O'Riley leaves Brighton to join Marseille on loan

Former MK Dons midfielder Matt O’Riley has left Brighton after making a deadline day loan move to French side Marseille.

The 24-year-old will join the French side on loan for the rest of the season, in a deal announced the day after the closure of the European football transfer window for another summer.

O’Riley had played in Brighton’s first two Premier League games of the season, including scoring in the Seagulls’ season opener against his former club Fulham.

The Danish international’s loan departure came on a busy transfer deadline day at the AMEX, with Facundo Buonanotte, Igor Julio and Jeremy Sarmiento also departing on loan deals.

Marseille signed O’Riley on a busy deadline day of their own, with the French club also signing former World Cup winning defender Benjamin Pavard and West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd.

The side from the southern French city finished second in Ligue 1 last season, which means they will take part in the Champions League this season. As per last week’s Champions League draw, Marseille will face games against Real Madrid, Ajax, Newcastle and Liverpool among others.

Brighton’s boss Fabian Hurzeler told the club’s official website that he felt the move was the best option for the midfielder.

He said, “Matt has the opportunity to challenge himself at the highest level in France and in the Champions League.

“We have a lot of competition in the midfield positions, and while we see Matt’s long-term future here with us, this gives him the potential of more game time.

“We will monitor his progress throughout the season with Marseille, and we wish him well for the rest of the season.”

O’Riley played for MK Dons for 12 months, signing for the club in January 2021 after being released by Fulham before leaving to join Celtic in January 2022. He scored 10 goals in 54 appearances in his year playing for the Dons under Russell Martin and then Liam Manning.

After winning 3 Scottish Premiership titles with Celtic and winning the club’s Player of the Year, Player’s Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards in the 2023/24 season, O’Riley signed for Brighton in August last year for an undisclosed fee reported at around £25million.

O’Riley suffered an injury on debut after a challenge by future Dons midfielder Jay Williams in a Carabao Cup tie between Brighton and Crawley, but would score on his delayed Premier League debut after he scored a late winner to beat Manchester City.

The midfielder struggled for game time, however, playing a full 90 minutes in only one of his 25 appearances for the club.