Riley McGree


Riley Patrick McGree is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Adelaide United in the A-League.
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.
McGree was first called up to the Australian national team in 2017, having previously played for Australia under-17 in 2013.
In June 2018, Melbourne City signed Riley McGree on a one-year loan deal for the next A-League season.

Early life

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

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. 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. Two weeks later, McGree signed a one-year senior contract with Adelaide. 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.

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.

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 be lodged in January, with him expected to join the squad in late January, due to his international commitments in 2018 AFC U-23 Championship.
In that season's A-League semi-finals, McGree became the subject of international attention after scoring with a scorpion kick, and which received a nomination for the FIFA Puskas Award for the most beautiful goal in the world that year.
At the end of the season McGree returned to Club Brugge, though Newcastle Jets looked to sign him on loan once more.

Loan to Melbourne City

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.

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.

International career

McGree was called up to the Australia under-17 team in August 2013 for the 2013 AFF U-16 Youth Championship in Myanmar. He scored a hat-trick in the side's group stage win over Brunei.
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.
In November 2019 he was one of four players suspended by the Australia national under-23 soccer team due to "unprofessional conduct". The four players allegedly mistreated a woman after an intimate encounter. As a result, McGree is forbidden to play in the upcoming 2020 AFC U-23 Championship, but is free to be selected for their World Cup team if Australia qualify.

Career statistics

Honours

Club

;Adelaide United