PROUD DAD PHIL COLLINS JETS OUT TO SUPPORT HIS SON AFTER TRANSFER - TO DELIGHT OF HALF-SISTER LILY

Music legend Phil Collins beamed with pride as he visited his son Mathew at his football team in Austria.

The Genesis icon cuddled the 21-year-old on a visit to Austria Salzburg, a second-division club in the mountainous European nation. 

Mathew, who was born in Switzerland to Phil and his former wife Orianne Cevey, signed for them over the summer. 

And his actress half-sister Lily Collins was delighted to see him reunited with their father, writing on Instagram: 'This makes me SOOO happy'. 

Though Lily lives on the other side of the world in Los Angeles, her brother means a lot to her.

When he turned 20 last year, she posted an emotional tribute which read: 'Happy 20th to my little brother who's not so little anymore.

'How on earth did you grow up so fast? I could not be prouder of the human you are or more excited for what's to come in this next decade.

'Thank you for always making me laugh, for teaching me what it means to be a big sister, and for reminding me of what's important. 

'I love you more than words will ever express.'

Matthew is the youngest of Phil's five children, who are also at their professional peak, with careers in Hollywood and the music industry.

The footballer began his sporting career playing for Hannover's U19s and after the German club made the decision to release him in 2023 he impressed on trial with WSG Tirol in Austria.

He played for Tirol's reserve side in the fourth tier. The club denied that they had signed him simply because of his celebrity dad.

Coach Manuel Ludwiger said: 'We Google the players we take on trial to find out about their past careers.

'It was only then that we found out Mathew is Phil Collins' son.

'We haven't signed him as a publicity stunt. It is purely down to his footballing ability.'

Mathew will be hoping Austria Salburg can push on and be more competitive this campaign. 

They currently sit 10th out of 15 teams playing in the second tier.

Read more

2025-12-02T10:47:52Z