Music icon Phil Collins was pictured beaming with pride during a visit to his son Mathew at his new football club in Austria.
A Family Affair in the Austrian Alps
The Genesis legend shared a warm embrace with his 21-year-old son during a trip to see Austria Salzburg, the second-division club Mathew joined this past summer. Mathew, who was born in Switzerland to Phil and his ex-wife Orianne Cevey, is forging his own path in professional football far from his father's superstar shadow.
Despite the distance, family support remains strong. Mathew's half-sister, actress Lily Collins, expressed her joy at seeing the reunion from her home in Los Angeles. She took to Instagram to write: 'This makes me SOOO happy'.
More Than Just a Famous Name
Mathew Collins began his sporting career in the youth academy of German club Hannover. After being released in 2023, he earned a trial with Austrian side WSG Tirol, impressing coaches enough to secure a place in their fourth-tier reserve team.
The club has strongly denied that his famous parentage played any role in the signing. WSG Tirol coach Manuel Ludwiger explained their process, stating: '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.'
A Sibling Bond Spanning Continents
The emotional connection between Mathew and his Hollywood star sister Lily is clearly profound. When he turned 20 last year, she posted a heartfelt public tribute that 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... Thank you for always making me laugh, for teaching me what it means to be a big sister... I love you more than words will ever express.'
Mathew is the youngest of Phil Collins' five children, a family now thriving across diverse fields including music, acting, and sport. His move to Austria Salzburg represents a fresh start, with the club currently sitting 10th in the 15-team Austrian second tier. The young defender will be hoping to help his new side become more competitive as the season progresses.
