Marseille Sign 22-year-old Burnley Defender on Free Transfer | OneFootball

CJ Egan-Riley Departs Burnley for Champions League Opportunity with Marseille

CJ Egan-Riley’s exit from Burnley to join Olympique de Marseille marks a significant moment not just for the player, but for a club that hoped to build its future around him. The 22-year-old defender has opted for Champions League football under Roberto De Zerbi in France, rejecting what Burnley described as a “significant long-term contract.”

It is a decision that underlines the growing ambition of Marseille and the pulling power of European competition, but it also offers a reality check for clubs like Burnley who aim to retain top Championship talent in a football landscape defined increasingly by continental allure.

Key Defender Recognised Before Departure

Egan-Riley’s decision comes after a standout season in the Championship, where he was rightly named in the division’s Team of the Season. That kind of recognition usually signals the start of a strong foundation at a club. Instead, it has coincided with an exit.

According to Sky Sports, “The 22-year-old was named in the Championship team of the season and Burnley last week said they had offered him a ‘significant long-term contract’ but that he had ‘made the decision to pursue an opportunity in France’.”

This isn’t a player chasing money or fame. Egan-Riley’s move appears calculated, one eye clearly fixed on his development under a progressive coach and in elite-level European competition.

Marseille’s Ambition Under Roberto De Zerbi

Egan-Riley isn’t arriving in Marseille alone. Earlier this week, former Manchester United midfielder Angel Gomes also joined from Lille, signalling a new phase under the guidance of Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian manager, best known for his tactical innovation at Brighton, has already begun to shape a young, dynamic side.

Photo IMAGO

This project clearly appeals to Egan-Riley, who will be joining a side that is not just competing in Ligue 1 but preparing for a Champions League campaign. That promise of European exposure may well have proven decisive.

Burnley Left Rebuilding Once Again

Burnley’s disappointment will be significant. Having made efforts to secure Egan-Riley’s services long-term, they now face replacing a player of clear Premier League potential without compensation. For a club hoping to rebuild and return to the top flight, losing such assets for free is a harsh setback.

Yet, the transparency from Burnley’s communication reflects some dignity in how the club handles its departures. There’s an acknowledgment that ambition drives players like Egan-Riley, and while fans may feel betrayed, the broader football context makes the move understandable.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Burnley fans, this one stings. CJ Egan-Riley wasn’t just another promising player, he was one of our own in spirit, if not by origin. He embodied the kind of gritty, composed, modern defender we’ve been crying out for. Seeing him named in the Championship team of the season felt like the start of something. Instead, it’s ended in a goodbye.

The club clearly made an effort. A “significant long-term contract” shows there was a desire to build around him. But when a club like Marseille comes calling, managed by someone like De Zerbi, and offering Champions League football, it’s a tough ask to hold on to anyone.

The frustration lies in timing. Burnley are rebuilding and we can’t keep losing players we develop. It’s not just about Egan-Riley, it’s about what his departure represents. If we can’t hold onto our best at 22, how do we convince the next generation to commit?

Still, all the best to CJ. He’s earned his shot, and we’ll be watching his progress with pride, and maybe a little envy.