Riley McGree

Riley McGree
McGree with Melbourne City in 2019
Personal information
Full name Riley Patrick McGree[1]
Date of birth (1998-11-02) 2 November 1998 (age 26)[1]
Place of birth Gawler, South Australia
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Middlesbrough
Number 8
Youth career
2003–2011 Gawler Eagles
2013 FFSA NTC
2014–2015 Adelaide United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2016 Adelaide United NPL 27 (1)
2016–2017 Adelaide United 17 (1)
2017–2019 Club Brugge 0 (0)
2018 → Newcastle Jets (loan) 12 (5)
2018–2019 → Melbourne City (loan) 27 (7)
2019–2020 Adelaide United 23 (10)
2020–2022 Charlotte FC 0 (0)
2020–2022 → Birmingham City (loan) 28 (3)
2022– Middlesbrough 90 (13)
International career‡
2013 Australia U17 2 (3)
2017–2021 Australia U23 9 (3)
2021– Australia 27 (1)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Australia
AFF U-16 Youth Championship
Third place 2013 Myanmar U-17 Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:04, 21 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:08, 20 October 2024 (UTC)

Riley Patrick McGree (born 2 November 1998) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for EFL Championship club Middlesbrough and the Australian national team.

Born in Gawler, South Australia, McGree played youth football for Gawler, the FFSA NTC and Adelaide United before starting his professional career with Adelaide United in 2016. He joined Club Brugge of the Belgian top flight in 2017, and spent two loan spells back in Australia with Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City before returning to Adelaide United. That club sold him to Major League Soccer expansion franchise Charlotte FC, who loaned him to English Championship club Birmingham City for eighteen months, before selling him to Middlesbrough in 2022.

McGree was first called up to the Australian national team in 2017, having previously played for the under-17 side in 2013.

Early life

McGree was born and raised in Gawler, South Australia, to the north of Adelaide.[2] He joined Gawler Eagles FC as a four-year-old after the town's Australian rules football club was full, and remained with the Eagles for eight years.[2][3]

Club career

Adelaide United

McGree made his debut for Adelaide United in the A-League on 19 March 2016 in a draw with Western Sydney Wanderers.[4] He made his first start for the club in a 2016 FFA Cup loss to Redlands United on 3 August 2016, having been called up from the club's youth squad.[5] Two weeks later, McGree signed a one-year senior contract with Adelaide.[6] McGree scored his first goal for the Reds in his second A-League start, on 29 January 2017, with a shot from the edge of the area in a draw with Wellington Phoenix.[7]

Club Brugge

After impressing at Adelaide United, including being called up for the Australian national team, McGree left the national Australian league in July 2017 to join Belgian club Club Brugge.[8]

Loan to Newcastle Jets

On 19 December 2017, it was announced that McGree would be joining the Newcastle Jets on a short-term loan deal for the remainder of the 2017–18 A-League season, as an injury replacement for Jake Adelson. The transfer would be officially lodged in January, with him expected to join the squad in late January, due to his international commitments in 2018 AFC U-23 Championship.[9]

In that season's A-League semi-finals, McGree became the subject of international attention after scoring with a scorpion kick,[10][11] and which received a nomination for the FIFA Puskas Award for the most beautiful goal in the world that year.[12]

At the end of the season McGree returned to Club Brugge,[13] though Newcastle Jets looked to sign him on loan once more.[14]

Loan to Melbourne City

In June 2018, a few weeks after the announcement that McGree returned to Club Brugge, he returned to the A-League, joining Melbourne City on a season-long loan.[15]

Return to Adelaide United

On 5 July 2019, it was announced that McGree would return to Adelaide United for an undisclosed fee for the next three seasons.[16] McGree starred for Adelaide United in his season back for Adelaide United scoring 10 goals in the league and 3 goals in the cup, including one in the FFA Cup final against Melbourne City. He capped off his season by winning the Aurelio Vidmar Club Champion award for the best and fairest player at Adelaide United, and winning the club's golden boot award.

Charlotte FC

On 5 October 2020, McGree was sold to Major League Soccer expansion franchise Charlotte FC for an undisclosed fee.[17]

Loan to Birmingham City

Immediately after joining Charlotte FC, McGree was loaned to English Championship club Birmingham City for the season.[18] He made his Birmingham City debut on 17 October, as a substitute in a 1–0 defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday.[19] Two weeks later, he scored his first goal two minutes into his first start, away to Preston North End, when he reacted quickest to a loose ball after Lukas Jutkiewicz's mis-hit shot; the match ended 2–1 to Birmingham.[20] McGree finished the season with 15 appearances, and his loan was renewed until 1 January 2022.[21] He made his first league start of 2021–22 in October, in place of the injured Tahith Chong, and according to the Birmingham Mail, became "undroppable, impressing with his work-rate, mobility, versatility and, latterly, quality."[22] He scored twice and made two assists in 13 league matches before his loan expired.[23]

Although McGree was expected to return to Charlotte FC in preparation for their MLS debut, rumours in early January linked him with a permanent move either to Scottish Premiership club Celtic, managed by Ange Postecoglou, the coach who first called him up to the senior national team, or to another EFL Championship club.[23] He chose not to join Celtic,[24] and on 14 January, he signed for Middlesbrough.[25]

Middlesbrough

McGree signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with EFL Championship club Middlesbrough on 14 January 2022; the fee was undisclosed.[25] McGree made his debut for the club on 12 February, coming off the bench during a 4–1 win against Derby County. On 17 July 2024, McGree signed a new contract with Middlesbrough.[26]

International career

McGree playing for Australia U-23 at the 2020 Summer Olympics

McGree was called up to the Australia under-17 team in August 2013 for the 2013 AFF U-16 Youth Championship in Myanmar.[27] He scored a hat-trick in the side's group stage win over Brunei.[28]

In March 2017, McGree was called up to the Australian team for the first time, for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Iraq and UAE.[29]

In November 2019 he was one of four players suspended by the Australia national under-23 soccer team due to "unprofessional conduct".[30] The four players allegedly mistreated a woman after an intimate encounter. As a result, McGree was forbidden to play in the upcoming 2020 AFC U-23 Championship, but was free to be selected for their World Cup team if Australia qualify.[31]

McGree made his senior debut on 3 June 2021, as a late substitute in a 3–0 win against Kuwait in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.[32] In a man-of-the-match performance on his first start, he provided two assists in a 5–1 victory against Chinese Taipei,[33] and was a late substitute as Australia beat Jordan to complete a perfect record in the second phase of qualifying.[34] He scored his first international goal to complete Australia's 4–0 defeat of Vietnam on 27 January 2022 in a third-phase qualifier.[35]

In November 2022, McGree was called up to play in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[36] He started in Australia's opening match against France where Australia lost 4–1.[37] In their final group stage game, McGree assisted Mathew Leckie’s goal to beat Denmark 1-0.[38] McGree started for the fourth time in a row in Australia's 2-1 loss to Argentina.[39]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 21 December 2024[40]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Adelaide United 2015–16 A-League 1 0 0 0 — — — 1 0
2016–17 A-League 16 1 0 0 — 5[a] 1 — 21 2
Total 17 1 0 0 — 5 1 — 22 2
Club Brugge 2017–18 Belgian Pro League 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 — 0 0
Newcastle Jets (loan) 2017–18 A-League 12 5 0 0 — — — 12 5
Melbourne City (loan) 2018–19 A-League 27 7 3 1 — — — 30 8
Adelaide United 2019–20 A-League 23 10 5 3 — — — 28 13
Birmingham City (loan) 2020–21 Championship 15 1 0 0 — — — 15 1
2021–22 Championship 13 2 0 0 2 0 — — 15 2
Total 28 3 0 0 2 0 — — 30 3
Middlesbrough 2021–22 Championship 11 2 — — — — 11 2
2022–23 Championship 43 6 1 0 0 0 — 2[b] 0 46 6
2023–24 Championship 22 4 0 0 3 2 — — 25 6
2024–25 Championship 14 1 0 0 0 0 — — 14 1
Total 90 13 1 0 3 2 — 2 0 96 15
Career total 197 39 9 4 5 2 5 1 2 0 218 46
  1. ^ Appearances in AFC Champions League
  2. ^ Appearances in EFL Championship play-offs

International

As of match played 15 October 2024[41]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Australia 2021 7 0
2022 8 1
2023 3 0
2024 9 0
Total 27 1

Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by Riley McGree
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 27 January 2022 Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia  Vietnam 4–0 4–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification [35]

Honours

Adelaide United

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Australia (AUS)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 2. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b Migliaccio, Val (27 January 2017). "Teenager Riley McGree's tough love paying off for Adelaide United". The Advertiser. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  3. ^ Migliaccio, Val (17 March 2017). "Socceroo Riley McGree is finally ridding Gawler Eagles of stigma". The Advertiser. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  4. ^ "Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Adelaide United 0 – 0". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  5. ^ "Reds bundled out of FFA Cup". Adelaide United FC. 4 August 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  6. ^ "Reds promote teen duo". FourFourTwo. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  7. ^ Migliaccio, Valentino (29 January 2017). "Adelaide United once again fail to make most of home ground advantage". News.com.au. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  8. ^ Migliaccio, Val (4 July 2017). "Club Brugge sign teenage A-Leauge sensation Riley McGree from the Reds". The Advertiser.
  9. ^ Barnsley, Warren (20 December 2017). "Riley McGree to return to A-League in 2018 on loan from Club Brugge with Newcastle Jets". news.com.au.
  10. ^ "#puskasaward RILEY MCGREE GOAL – VOTE NOW!". YouTube. FIFATV. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
  11. ^ Riley McGree scores goal of the season as scorpion kick puts Newcastle Jets into A-League grand final, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 28 April 2018
  12. ^ "World Reaction: Riley McGree's scorpion goal puts A-League on the map!". Fox Sports (Australia). 28 April 2018.
  13. ^ "Squad Check: Every Hyundai A-League in, out, squad". Football Federation Australia. 4 June 2018.
  14. ^ Somerford, Ben (7 June 2018). "Newcastle Jets remain hopeful of new McGree deal". FourFourTwo.
  15. ^ Gardiner, James (20 June 2018). "Scorpion king Riley McGree swaps Newcastle Jets for Melbourne City". The Newcastle Herald.
  16. ^ "Reds pay up to bring McGree home". InDaily. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  17. ^ "Reds agree McGree transfer with MLS outfit". Adelaide United. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  18. ^ "McGree joins Blues". Birmingham City F.C. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  19. ^ "Birmingham City 0–1 Sheffield Wednesday". BBC Sport. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  20. ^ "Preston North End 1–2 Birmingham City". BBC Sport. 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  21. ^ "Birmingham re-sign McGree on loan". BBC Sport. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  22. ^ Dick, Brian (17 December 2021). "Birmingham City already have the player their owners should be signing in the transfer window". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  23. ^ a b Cusack, Richard (9 January 2022). "Shock Riley McGree transfer claim made after Birmingham City exit". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  24. ^ Irvine, David (13 January 2022). "Ange Postecoglou opens up Riley McGree discussions as Celtic move ruled out". The Herald. Glasgow. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  25. ^ a b Jones, Matty (14 January 2022). "Riley McGree has completed Boro switch from Charlotte FC". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  26. ^ "Riley McGree signs new Boro contract". Middlesbrough F.C. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  27. ^ "Vidmar selects his Joeys". Football Federation Australia. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  28. ^ "Joeys thump Brunei". Football Federation Australia. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  29. ^ "Socceroos name teenager Riley McGree for World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and UAE". ABC News. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  30. ^ "Four Australia Under-23 players banned after complaint from woman". BBC Sport. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  31. ^ "Robbie Slater slams FFA over four Olyroos banned; Four Olyroos banned over group sex incident, Riley McGree, Socceroos, news, football". Fox Sports (Australia). 20 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  32. ^ Monteverde, Marco (4 June 2021). "Socceroos: Australia return to action with a 3-0 win over Kuwait". News.com.au. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  33. ^ "Australia's Arnold delighted as young guns deliver five-star Asian Qualifiers performance against Chinese Taipei". Asian Football Confederation. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  34. ^ Monteverde, Marco (16 June 2021). "Socceroos: Milestone man Trent Sainsbury in tears after helping Australia to an eighth straight win". The Australian. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  35. ^ a b "Australia claim 4-0 victory over Vietnam in World Cup qualifier". ABC News (Australia). Australian Associated Press (AAP). 27 January 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  36. ^ "Socceroos FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ squad announced". Football Australia. 8 November 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  37. ^ "France 4-1 Australia: World Cup 2022 - as it happened". The Guardian. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  38. ^ El-Shaboury, Yara (1 December 2022). "AUSTRALIA 1-0 DENMARK: MATHEW LECKIE FIRES SOCCEROOS INTO LAST 16 BEHIND FRANCE AS DANES MISS OUT". Eurosport. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  39. ^ Bate, Adam (4 December 2021). "World Cup 2022 - Argentina 2-1 Australia: Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez goals put Argentina into quarter-final against Netherlands". Sky Sports. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  40. ^ "R. McGree". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  41. ^ "Riley McGree: Internationals". WorldFootball.net. HeimSpiel Medien. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  42. ^ "Double Recognition For Chuba Akpom At Player Of The Year Awards". Middlesbrough FC. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
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