Born in Nottingham, Riley Harbottle was picked up by the Nottingham Forest academy at the foundation stage and signed his first professional contract in 2017. He made his full debut at 20-years-old, starting in a Carabao Cup first round clash with Bradford City, before playing the full 90 minutes in the second round against Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

A loan spell with Wealdstone in the National League followed for the centre-back, where he made eleven appearances, before a season-long spell with Mansfield Town in Sky Bet League Two. 

Harbottle was a consistent figure in the heart of the Mansfield defence in the 2022/23 season, playing 36 times in all competitions and scoring six goals, including vital finishes in wins against Tranmere Rovers and Colchester United. 

The defender completed a permanent transfer to Scottish Premier League side Hibernian in July 2023 but returned to the EFL just a few months later, signing on loan with Colchester United for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign. 

A transfer to AFC Wimbledon was completed in August 2024 with Harbottle establishing himself in the Dons side, making 35 appearances in all competitions. His efforts helped Wimbledon into the League Two play-offs, with Harbottle scoring the vital winner against Notts County in the semi-final first-leg. 

Harbottle made 18 showings in all competitions for Wimbledon in the 2025/26 season, including 12 in Sky Bet League One, before moving to Rovers on January 16 2026, on a deal until 2028. The centre-back made his debut for the Gas in a 1-0 defeat to Colchester United.