Riley McGree, born in Australia on the 2nd of November 1998, is an exceptionally talented footballer who plays primarily as a central midfielder for Middlesbrough. He stands solid at 5 feet 10 inches tall (1.78m) and weighs in at 11 stones and 4 pounds (72kg). McGree, who claims the number 8 jersey as his own, has also plied his skills on the international stage, representing the Australian national team.
McGree's footballing journey began in earnest in July 2015 when he joined Adelaide United in Australia's A-League. During his debut season in 2015-2016, he made just one first team appearance in league matches. By the 2016-2017 season, he was making a more significant impact, making 16 appearances and scoring one goal. His performances continued to improve, and in the 2019-2020 season at Adelaide United, he made 23 first-team appearances and scored an impressive ten goals in league matches.
McGree's talents did not go unnoticed outside of Australia, and in July 2017 he was transferred to Club Brugge in Belgium's Pro League for an undisclosed fee. By January 2018 he found himself back in Australia, on loan with Newcastle United Jets in the A-League, where he made ten appearances and scored an admirable four goals. His next loan spell, which saw him back again in the A-League for Melbourne City in the 2018-2019 season, proved likewise successful, with seven goals and 26 appearances to his name.
In July 2019, McGree was transferred back to Adelaide United for a reported fee of £850k. His performance with Adelaide echoed his previous strong showing in the 2019-2020 season, making 23 first-team appearances and scoring ten goals. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and in October 2020 he was transferred to Charlotte FC in America's MLS for approximately £500k.
McGree's time at Charlotte FC was short, however. In the same month, he was out on loan to Birmingham City in England’s League One, where he made 28 first-team appearances over two seasons and scored three goals. His next move, in January 2022, saw him transferred to Middlesbrough in the Championship for a fee of around £3.3m. This is where McGree currently resides, having made a total of 93 appearances since his arrival and scoring 13 goals in the process. In the FA Cup 2024 -2025, McGree has made his presence felt once already.
Throughout his moves and transfers, McGree has shown dedication, talent, and a drive to consistently improve. Whilst his story is still being written, this Australian-born midfielder's past is undeniably impressive, and the future looks promising indeed.
