Ömer Rıza

Ömer Rıza — Biography

Omer Karime Ali Riza, born November 8, 1979, in the Edmonton area of London, is a dual-national former footballer of Turkish Cypriot descent who later became a coach. He began his career in Arsenal's youth system, making a single substitute appearance in the League Cup, before playing in England's lower divisions for West Ham United, Barnet, Cambridge United, Shrewsbury Town, and Aldershot Town, as well as for ADO Den Haag in the Netherlands.

He drew attention with his form after joining Denizlispor in 2003, moved to Trabzonspor in 2006, and earned FIFA clearance to represent Turkey's A2 national team. After retiring as a player, Riza turned to coaching, spending five seasons in various roles at Watford, taking charge of Leyton Orient in 2017, and managing Cardiff City on an interim and then permanent basis in 2024 before leaving the role in April 2025. In spring 2026, reports indicated he had been appointed assistant to an experienced coach in England.