Who Is CJ Egan-Riley? Meet Marseille’s Newest Signing

Pep Guardiola Gave Him His Start

CJ Egan-Riley—full name Conrad Jaden Egan-Riley—came up through Manchester City’s academy, having joined the club at age seven in 2010. He climbed the youth ranks and made his first-team debut on September 21, 2021, in a League Cup match against Wycombe Wanderers.

That debut came directly under Pep Guardiola. He then started a UEFA Champions League match against Sporting CP in March 2022 and made a Premier League appearance versus Newcastle in May 2022. Although he only logged 183 minutes with City’s first team, the experience of training daily with some of the world’s top players proved invaluable.

He’s Comfortable in Multiple Positions

Versatility is a big part of what drew Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi and the club’s leadership to him. The 22-year-old Manchester native can play as a center back, right back, or even as a holding midfielder.

He actually made his Manchester City debut as a right back. At 1.83 meters tall, he’s a right-footed, modern defender—strong in challenges, calm under pressure, and intelligent in his positioning. His adaptability makes him a good fit for De Zerbi’s tactical system.

His Breakthrough Took Time at Burnley

Egan-Riley left Manchester City in July 2022 to join Burnley, who were in the Championship at the time. He was drawn in by the project led by manager Vincent Kompany, a former City captain.

However, he struggled for minutes during his first six months and was sent on loan to gain experience—first to Hibernian in Scotland (January–June 2023), then to Jong PSV, PSV Eindhoven’s reserve team in the Netherlands (February–June 2024). When he returned to Burnley ahead of the 2024–25 season, now under new manager Scott Parker, he finally broke through and earned a starting spot.

He Shined in the 2024–25 Season

The 2024–25 season was Egan-Riley’s breakout year. Playing alongside former Montpellier defender Maxime Estève, he became a key figure in Burnley’s defense, making 41 appearances (40 starts). Burnley, who had just been promoted to the Premier League, finished the season with the best defensive record across all English professional leagues—just 16 goals conceded in 44 Championship matches.

Egan-Riley was a major reason for that success and was named in the Championship’s Team of the Season. With his contract expiring, he opted not to renew, and Marseille jumped at the opportunity, much like they did with Angel Gomes in the past.

He’s Represented Both Ireland and England

Egan-Riley’s international career is unique. He’s represented England from the U15 level all the way to the U21s, earning his first U21 call-up in March 2025. However, he also has Irish roots and has previously represented Ireland’s U16 team. He’s currently with England at the U21 European Championship but remains eligible for either senior national team. A decision on his international future could come soon, depending on how he performs at Marseille.

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