Celtic have confirmed the signing of highly-rated midfielder Matt O’Riley. The 21-year-old, a product of Fulham’s Academy, arrives from MK Dons on a four-and-a-half-year deal. O’Riley is a ‘No.8’ midfielder and will look to bolster the centre of the park, giving the manager options as he looks to build the team in his image.
Celtic are believed to have paid £1.5m to sign the promising midfielder from the League One outfit. O’Riley spent exactly twelve months with MK Dons and in 52 appearances, he has scored nine goals. Now, he will be looking at replicating energetic displays in Europe, the League and The Scottish Cup as Celtic look to reassert their dominance on the Scottish game.
📝🆕 Our 𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒆𝒔𝒕 January signing… 🟢⚪@mattoriley8 has joined #CelticFC on a four-and-a-half year deal, subject to international clearance! 🙌 #WelcomeMatt🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 20, 2022
👀 #CelticFC‘s new number _ _ #WelcomeMatt 🍀 @mattoriley8 pic.twitter.com/G3hHdHm4eK
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 20, 2022
O’Riley has been confirmed as wearing No.33, which was previously worn by Beram Kayal.
Celtic have already signed Daizen Maeda, Yosuke, Ideguchi, Reo Hatate and Johnny Kenny. The arrival from League One is an interesting one, with O’Riley rejecting the chance to remain at Fulham in order to gain first team football. This decision has clearly paid dividends with the midfielder signing for the finest team in Scotland.
Celtic FC sent out the following press information this evening confirming the deal…
Celtic delighted to sign Matt O’Riley
Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Matt O’Riley, who has joined the club from MK Dons on a four-and-a-half-year deal, subject to international clearance, which will see him remain at the club until at least the summer of 2026.
The highly-rated 21-year-old midfielder becomes Ange Postecoglou’s fifth signing of the January transfer window, following the arrival of Daizen Maeda, Yosuke Ideguchi, Reo Hatate and Johnny Kenny.
Matt came through the Fulham Youth Academy and made his first-team debut for the club back in August 2017 at the age of just 16. He made five appearances in total for the club before signing for MK Dons in January 2021.
Since then, he’s gone on to make 52 appearances for the English League One club, scoring nine goals including seven this season, helping push MK Dons to fifth in the table.
😍 Matt O'Riley 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐬 the famous Hoops at Paradise!#WelcomeMatt 🍀 @mattoriley8 pic.twitter.com/3nhdi5XtLJ
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 20, 2022
Big Ang ripping the media since 2021 😜😜😜 pic.twitter.com/edStvQZRLp
— angball2022 (@ballinacup69) January 20, 2022
