Oliver Robert McBurnie, commonly known as Oli McBurnie, is a professional footballer born on 4 June 1996 in Leeds. The Hull City striker represents Scotland internationally because of his father’s Glaswegian background. His family includes his fiancée Niamh Fitzgerald, their two daughters, his parents Emma and Neil, and his younger brother Xander.
Who is Oli McBurnie’s girlfriend or fiancée?
Oli McBurnie’s long-term partner is Niamh Fitzgerald. The couple were publicly pictured together by 2022 and announced in December 2023 that they were expecting their first child.
A May 2026 interview described Niamh as McBurnie’s fiancée, indicating that the couple are engaged. No reliable public announcement has confirmed that they are married, so Niamh should be described as his fiancée rather than his wife.
McBurnie has credited Niamh and becoming a father with helping him mature and gain a healthier perspective on his football career. The couple have shared selected family milestones publicly while otherwise maintaining a relatively private home life.
How many children does Oli McBurnie have?
Oli McBurnie and Niamh Fitzgerald have two daughters. Their first daughter, Mimi McBurnie, was born on 3 June 2024. McBurnie announced her arrival publicly and praised Niamh following the birth.
The couple welcomed their second daughter, Gia McBurnie, on 19 November 2025. In his announcement, McBurnie called Gia the newest addition to their family and described Mimi as a caring big sister.
The birth details for both girls were shared through Oli McBurnie’s verified Instagram account. Their privacy should be respected beyond the limited information their parents have chosen to publish.
Who are Oli McBurnie’s parents?
Oli McBurnie’s parents are Neil McBurnie and Emma McBurnie. His father is from Glasgow, Scotland, while his mother is English. This mixed family background meant that Oli was eligible to represent either England or Scotland.
Neil’s Scottish identity had a powerful influence on both Oli and his younger brother. The two boys regularly wore Scotland and Rangers shirts while growing up in Leeds, and Oli has said that representing Scotland always felt like the natural decision.
Neil travelled extensively to watch his son represent Scotland at youth and senior levels. He attended matches in countries including Latvia, Ukraine, Peru and Mexico, as well as Oli’s senior international debut at Hampden Park.
Emma and Neil also spent years transporting their sons to training sessions and matches. McBurnie has said that he would not have become a professional footballer without their encouragement and sacrifices. Their support was discussed in a Press Association report about the McBurnie family.
Who is Oli McBurnie’s brother?
Oli McBurnie has a younger brother named Xander McBurnie. The brothers grew up together in Leeds and shared their father’s enthusiasm for Scotland and Rangers. Their parents regularly transported both boys to football training during their childhood.
In March 2024, Oli publicly revealed that Xander had been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and was receiving treatment. McBurnie dedicated a Premier League goal against Fulham to his brother and spoke about how the family’s experience had placed football difficulties into perspective.
The footballer discussed Xander’s diagnosis in a Sky Sports interview about his family’s experience. More recent authoritative reporting has not provided a detailed update on Xander’s health, so his current medical status should not be assumed.
How Oli McBurnie’s Scottish family influenced his career
Although McBurnie was born and raised in Leeds, his Scottish family heritage shaped his international identity from childhood. His father and paternal grandmother are from Scotland, and McBurnie grew up regarding himself as Scottish despite his Yorkshire accent.
Oli and Xander attended school events wearing Scotland shirts and painting their faces in Scotland’s colours. Their mother supported them, although McBurnie has joked that his father’s influence made his international allegiance inevitable.
That family connection eventually led McBurnie to represent Scotland at under-19, under-21 and senior level. He described making his senior debut at Hampden Park in front of his father as one of the proudest moments of his career.
Oli McBurnie’s family life as a father
Fatherhood has become an increasingly important part of McBurnie’s life. He welcomed Mimi shortly before moving from Sheffield United to Las Palmas in 2024, and later said that living in Spain with Niamh and their daughter helped him mature away from the scrutiny surrounding English football.
Gia’s arrival in November 2025 expanded the family to four. When McBurnie joined Hull City, he explained that the decision needed to be suitable for both his career and his family, demonstrating how prominently their needs now feature in his professional choices.
Frequently Asked Questions about Oli McBurnie’s family
Who is Oli McBurnie’s girlfriend?
Oli McBurnie’s long-term partner is Niamh Fitzgerald. A May 2026 interview identified her as his fiancée.
Is Oli McBurnie married?
No marriage has been publicly confirmed. The most recent reliable description identifies Niamh Fitzgerald as McBurnie’s fiancée.
How many children does Oli McBurnie have?
McBurnie has two daughters with Niamh Fitzgerald: Mimi, born in June 2024, and Gia, born in November 2025.
Who are Oli McBurnie’s parents?
His parents are Emma and Neil McBurnie. Emma is English, while Neil is from Glasgow, Scotland.
Does Oli McBurnie have a brother?
Yes. He has a younger brother named Xander McBurnie.
Why does Oli McBurnie represent Scotland?
McBurnie qualifies for Scotland through his Glaswegian father. He grew up supporting Scotland and has said that representing the country always felt natural to him.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
