O’Riley, who scored the game-winning goal in Brighton’s historic 2-1 victory against Manchester City last Saturday, cost £25 million to join the Seagulls from Celtic last summer.
The goal came in his Premier League debut, and it was a magical occasion for the Denmark international, who had just recovered from ankle surgery after suffering an injury during the Carabao Cup match against Crawley Town.
The west London team, then led by Scott Parker, even extended an offer to O’Riley for a four-year deal after he began his career there. But O’Riley believed his prospects of making the first squad would be slim, so he took the risk of joining a League One outfit Dons of Milton Keynes.
Although there was a lot of interest in the midfielder due to his impressive play for the Dons, Celtic made the final decision and he agreed to a £1.5 million transfer to the Scottish champions in 2022.
O’Riley took advantage of his opportunity and finished his 124 games with Celtic with 27 goals and 35 assists. In the 2023-24 season he was named the club’s Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year.
Brighton then made their move, but O’Riley’s courageous choice to leave the comforts of Fulham was what ultimately paid off.
“I was offered a four-year contract at Fulham when I was 19, and it was a good deal,” O’Riley told the Official BHAFC Podcast. “Even .
