Brighton agree Marseille deal for Matt O’Riley loan return | OneFootball

Brighton have agreed a deal with Marseille for Matt O’Riley to return to the Amex this season.

The midfielder has been on loan with the Ligue 1 side since September, and The Athletic had reported that talks were under way over his return.

The move hinged on head coach Fabian Hurzeler’s view that the 25-year-old could contribute in a crowded area for the rest of the campaign. Regulations meant he could not go on loan to a third club, having already played for Brighton and Marseille this season.

He started as the No. 10 in Brighton’s first two Premier League matches in August, scoring a second-half penalty in a 1-1 home draw with former club Fulham and featuring in a 2-0 defeat at Everton.

He then joined Marseille on a season-long loan on the final day of the 2025 summer window. Under Roberto De Zerbi he has made 25 of a possible 31 appearances in all competitions, registering one goal and six assists.

Their Champions League exit at the league phase this week, under former Brighton head coach De Zerbi, left them without further financial windfall.

The Denmark international has scored three times in 23 Premier League appearances for Brighton since arriving from Celtic for £25 million in summer 2024.

Source: NY Times