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.
A section of the A509 road in Milton Keynes has re-opened after a two year closure.
The long-term closure of the section linking Newport Pagnell with the M1 motorway was announced in August 2023 for work on the MK East Development site, which included the installation of a new roundabout.
The closure had initially been intended to last for 12 months with the closure running through to September 2024, but following delays, the closure would end up lasting through to last week, when the section was re-opened.
Plans for the closure of the affected section between the junction with Newport Road to Cranfield and Tickford Roundabout (A422) were intended to help facilitate a development that, upon completion, is intended to have around 5,000 new houses constructed.
Severe weather was blamed by MK City Council in late 2024 when delays were first announced.
Chris Curtis, Labour MP for Milton Keynes North, told the BBC, “I know this has been incredibly frustrating for residents but I am pleased to see new road infrastructure prioritised ahead of new developments being moved into.
“I’ll be meeting with the developers to discuss how we ensure future stages of the development don’t cause this level of disruption again.”
Liberal Democrat councillor Jane Carr, who represents Newport Pagnell South on MK City Council, said, “It’s taken far too long. Businesses, residents and commuters have all suffered, but I’m grateful it’s finally coming to an end.”
Luton Town confirmed two signings on transfer deadline day to sign Shayden Morris and Ethon Archer.
Morris has joined from Aberdeen, with the 23-year-old moving from Scotland for an undisclosed fee and signing a deal of undisclosed length at Kenilworth Road.
Meanwhile, Archer arrives at Luton for an undisclosed fee from Cheltenham Town, with the Hatters confirming the 23-year-old will stay with the Robins until January before moving to Kenilworth Road for good.
The double deal sees Luton confirm their 11th and 12th new signings of the 2025 summer transfer window.
Morris arrives back in England after 3 years with Aberdeen, who he joined from Fleetwood Town in 2022.
The winger had an acclaimed final season at Pittodrie, where he made nearly 50 appearances in all competitions as Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup – their first major honours since 2014.
Morris also earned individual acclaim, with the winger named as the Scottish side’s Player of the Year.
In an arrival interview with the official Luton Town website, Morris voiced his excitement to make the move to Bedfordshire.
He said, “I want to excite the fans and get them off their seats, score goals and get assists and I feel, after speaking with the manager, that this is the place I can do that.
“This is an ambitious club, a massive club, with really passionate fans, and as soon as I knew this could be happening, I looked closely at the club and the squad, and it’s really strong.
“I’m also an ambitious person who wants to be playing and winning football matches – and play at the highest level. That’s why I chose Luton.”
Meanwhile, Archer will join Luton for an undisclosed fee but will stay with the Robins until January.
The attacker, who predominantly plays as a left-winger, had joined Cheltenham from Torquay in 2024, and has scored 7 in 52 appearances for the Robins.
He said, “I’m delighted to be here and so happy this deal got over the line. As soon as I heard about it I thought it was a no-brainer, something I definitely had to go for.
“This is a very big club. It’s been in the Premier League not too long ago, in the Championship last season, and I know they have aspirations of getting back to that level, so this is something I definitely want to be a part of.
“The facilities are unreal. I can’t wait to get going here in January and I just know it’s going to aid my development, 100 per cent.”
Northampton Town have confirmed the signing of Kyle Edwards, who has joined the Cobblers on a short-term contract.
The League One side’s 15th new signing of the summer sees Edwards join Northampton a short-term basis, with a contract lasting until January.
Edwards, 27, was available on a free after leaving Oxford United at the end of last season.
In his career, Edwards has represented West Bromwich Albion, Ipswich Town and Oxford, with Edwards joining the U’s on a full basis after an initial loan move to the Kassam Stadium. He also spent time on loan last season at Stevenage.
Since leaving Oxford, Edwards had been in training with the Northampton squad, with the Cobblers opting to convert him from trialist to full squad player.
“Kyle’s pedigree and ability is clear to see.
“He has been with us since the start of pre-season and has fully contributed to the work of the group over the last couple of months.
“He has impressed us with his attitude and application and has got through an awful lot of work. He is in good shape and it is just a case of building his game time up which we will do over the next few weeks.
“Kyle has fitted in really well and we are delighted to get this deal over the line.
“Supporters will know all about his quality and what he can do. He will add to our attacking options and we look forward to seeing him in a Northampton Town shirt.”
Sam Sherring has left MK Dons after joining Cheltenham Town on a season-long loan deal.
The 25-year-old joins a Cheltenham side who have picked up just one point from their opening 5 games, with the Robins confirming his deal on the final day of the transfer window.
The move was the only major move involving the Dons on the final day of the window, with the Dons having made the last of their 10 signings yesterday (31/08).
Sherring leaves after just over a year in Milton Keynes, having joined the Dons from Northampton Town last summer.
Although Sherring arrived on the back of two impressive seasons with the Cobblers, he endured a difficult season at MK Dons. The defender scored an own goal on his debut, struggled with illness and injury problems and made just 13 appearances for the club, with his last coming in January.
In a brief statement, MK Dons said, “Featuring under both Mike Williamson and Scott Lindsey, ‘Shez’ is a popular member of the squad at Stadium MK, and goes on loan with everyone’s best wishes.
“Everyone at MK Dons wishes Sam all the best for the rest of the season.”
Sherring told the official Cheltenham Town website that he was delighted to make the move to Gloucestershire.
He said, “I’m really happy, I’ve come in today, met the lads and trained. It was a really good vibe and I’m looking forward now to the game tomorrow and cracking on.
“For me it’s a chance to play some consistent minutes. I’m looking to really make an impact on the team and play as much as I can whilst I’m here.
“It’s still early in the season, there’s a lot games left to play and hopefully I can help the team climb up the league.”
