NOT BRIGHT
Matt O’Riley helped off by Brighton medics just EIGHT MINUTES into debut after £26million transfer from Celtic
Fans have reacted to the injury on social media
MATT O'RILEY suffered a horror start to his Brighton career as he hobbled off injured just NINE minutes into his debut.
The midfielder was only confirmed as a new player following his £26million switch from Celtic.
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O'Riley, 23, was forced off in Brighton's 4-0 Carabao Cup victory over Sussex rivals Crawley Town.
He was hurt in a bad challenge by Crawley's Jay Williams and was helped off the pitch by club medics.
He was replaced by 19-year-old Mark O'Mahony by manager Fabian Hurzeler.
Brighton fans were left in disbelief at the Danish international's bad luck.
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One posted: "Gutted for him ffs - absolutely stinker of a tackle too."
A second commented: "Oh man."
A third wrote: "Can only feel for the lad. Gutting for him."
A fourth said: "Horror tackle, pointless watching now."
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Another added: "Terrible challenge."
Hurzeler insisted that O'Riley's injury could be a bad one after the game.
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He said: "It doesn't look good to be honest. I talked to him when he went off the pitch, he couldn't get any weight on his ankle, so let's see.
"We have to scan it. I think players know their body best so his reaction was not good."
O'Riley had only put pen to paper on his five-year contract yesterday.
The midfielder was the club's eighth arrival this summer and took their total spending to £200million.
O'Riley started his career at Fulham before moving on to MK Dons and then making the £1.5m switch to Celtic.
During his time in Scotland, he scored 27 goals and provided 35 assists in 124 appearances.
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He has also won two caps for Denmark after switching his international allegiance from England.
O'Riley played for the Three Lions at youth level after being born in London.
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