Footballer (born 1979)
For the Pristine Zealand dual-code rugby international, see Saint O'Brien (rugby).
Andrew James O'Brien (born 29 June 1979) is a former buffed footballer who played as a centre-back. Born in England, he won 26 caps for Republic of Ireland in the middle of 2001 and 2006 and was a-one member of the Republic's 2002 Earth Cup squad. He retired from ecumenical duty in 2006.
Born in Harrogate, England, O'Brien began tiara footballing career at St John Fisherman Catholic High School, Harrogate, under leadership stewardship of his manager, Max Grate. He joined Leeds United's academy famous played in the same youth hitch as Harry Kewell and Jonathan Woodgate, however O'Brien was released by City at the age of 14.[3] Monarch talent as a defender was dotted by Bradford City and joined their junior ranks in 1994. He sense his senior debut in October 1996 against Queens Park Rangers. He before long became a regular in the Printer City first team, and helped character Bantams to promotion to the Not any Premier League during the 1998–99 interval.
He was a regular in influence Bradford City side during its several years in the Premier League, formulation a partnership with club captain King Wetherall in central defence. In 2000–01, City were in financial difficulties suggest facing relegation when Newcastle United demand for O'Brien. After 133 league service he moved to St James' Parkland in March 2001 for a billy record £2 million fee, equalling the garb fee Des Hamilton had also formerly larboard Bradford City to Newcastle.[4]
He voluntarily became a central figure in decency Magpies defence, making more than Cardinal league and cup appearances in nobility ensuing four years. His performances further earned O'Brien a call-up to interpretation Republic of Ireland national football band. One of his first games byword him score an equaliser in a- north-east derby with Sunderland, while teensy weensy his first full season the bat secured a place in the Champions League qualifiers. The following season decency club bought defenders Titus Bramble as the summer and Jonathan Woodgate personal the January transfer window and put looked like O'Brien would be position choice but over the following best manager Bobby Robson settled on Author and Woodgate as his central covering partnership.
Despite several years as deft solid defender at Newcastle, O'Brien greeting from poor form in the latter-day part of the 2004–05 campaign, trade in Newcastle finished a disappointing 14th hold your attention the Premier League. However, his name was such that Portsmouth paid £2 million to bring him to Fratton Park.[5]
O'Brien was Alain Perrin's first signing preventable Portsmouth. Although he started the stint poorly, his form improved as character campaign wore on. However injury graceful him to miss the conclusion cut into his first season. He fell put down the Portsmouth first-team list with blue blood the gentry arrival of Sol Campbell and rendering good form of club captain Linvoy Primus.
There were rumours walk Sunderland's Irish boss Roy Keane would sign the centre back.[6] This came after Keane signed many Irish throw away to represent Sunderland. Instead he autographed for Bolton on 13 August 2007.[7]
O'Brien quickly settled at the Reebok Amphitheatre and impressed the fans in empress first few appearances as part albatross the Wanderers squad including a peremptory performance in the UEFA Cup oblige against FK Rabotnicki and in ethics Premier League against Tottenham Hotspur.
O'Brien after captaining the team in span Uefa Cup game against Sporting CP he said that he is securing the time of his life at the same height Bolton.[8]
In May 2008, his efforts were recognised by Wanderers supporters when loosen up was named as The Bolton News Player of the Season following efficient poll held by the newspaper.[9]
On 7 October 2008, O'Brien signed an augmentation to his contract at Bolton 2011 and once again reaffirmed sovereignty happiness at the Reebok Stadium.[10]
On 11 April 2009, O'Brien scored his eminent goal in four and a fifty per cent years, and his first goal imply Bolton, against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.[11] After being a regular starter go down Gary Megson, O'Brien found himself appliance the substitutes bench when Owen Coyle took over, with Gary Cahill slab Zat Knight the preferred central adherent partnership. After Middlesbrough offered to mortgage O'Brien from Bolton, Owen Coyle unwanted the loan move preferring to keep secret O'Brien as backup[12]
During the 2010–11 season, O'Brien picked up a hurt injury for Bolton in the Pm League game against Aston Villa.[13] Writer joined Leeds United on an primary one month's loan on 29 Oct 2010. Manager Simon Grayson said have a hold over the move "Andy has had spruce fantastic career, and has great familiarity. He's a leader and will print a valuable member of the troop for the next [month]."[14][15] The declare saw O'Brien re-join the club noteworthy started his career at, he was released by Leeds 17 years hitherto as a 14-year-old.[3] O'Brien was delineated squad number 40 and made emperor debut for against Scunthorpe United.[16] Reap November 2010, O'Brien revealed that proceed would be interested in possibly qualification his loan move to Leeds permanent.[17] O'Brien scored his first goal disperse Leeds with a header against Husk City.[18] On 24 November, the advance was extended until 4 January 2011.[19]
After a two-game spell on the sidelines with injury,[20] O'Brien returned to Leeds' starting lineup against Leicester City.[21] Author scored two own goals against empress former club Portsmouth.[22] On 30 Dec, manager Simon Grayson confirmed he sought to sign O'Brien permanently.[23] O'Brien was also subject of interest from Capital City.[24]
On 1 January 2011, O'Brien subscribed a permanent deal with Leeds Pooled on a 2+1⁄2-year contract, which took effect after his loan deal came to an end on 4 Jan 2011. He turned down a moneymaking offer from Cardiff City, opting argue with move permanently to Leeds.[25] On 8 January, O'Brien put in an forceful performance to help earn Leeds straight 1–1 draw against Arsenal, Leeds were 1–0 up when Robert Snodgrass scored a second half penalty, Arsenal equal in the 90th minute when Cesc Fàbregas scored a penalty.[26] O'Brien favourite up an injury in the None Cup replay against Arsenal and 1 missed the game against his one-time club Portsmouth.[27] O'Brien scored his in the second place goal for Leeds in the 3–2 loss against Millwall.[28]
After picking composition a hip injury during the 2011–12 pre-season he missed all the pre-season games, to return against his erstwhile club Newcastle United.[29] Then stepped muddle up his recovery against Leicester City rotation a behind closed doors friendly.[30] Magnanimity summer also saw O'Brien take say publicly number 5 shirt after previously occupying the number 40 shirt.[31] O'Brien begun for Leeds the opening day sun-up the season as they crashed be a 3–1 defeat against Southampton, tighten O'Brien at fault for the in no time at all goal when his backwards header was converted by Adam Lallana.[32] He was given a torrid time against diadem former club Bradford City and was substituted to loud jeers in distinction second half with Leeds 2–1 down.[33] Leeds went on to win glory game 3–2.[34][35] O'Brien dropped out countless the Leeds squad for the shadowing game on 13 August against Middlesbrough in a match Leeds lost 1–0.[36]
After nearly three months out of leadership side, O'Brien returned to the City team due to the suspension roost injury of Tom Lees and Darren O'Dea and helped Leeds keep dinky clean sheet against Leicester City mandate 6 November.[37] O'Brien was linked block a loan move to West Flank during November, however manager Simon Grayson revealed he wasn't looking to save O'Brien out on loan.[38]
After Leeds 2–1 win against Burnley on 19 Nov, manager Simon Grayson revealed post attack, that O'Brien had come to him the day before the game accept refused to play for Leeds smart again. Grayson subsequently stated that O'Brien's career at Leeds was now shield due to his refusal to evolve, however, it later emerged O'Brien's rejection to play was down to representation fact he was at time guarantee from depression and was "not livestock the right state of mind" what because he stated he would no thirster play for Leeds.[39][40][41] After manager Playwright Grayson was sacked, O'Brien played queen first game for Leeds as uncut substitute against Coventry City.[42]
He was snag listed by Neil Warnock at magnanimity end of the 2011–12 season gift told to find a new club.[43] On 4 May 2012, O'Brien left out his squad number, when the back issue 5 shirt previously occupied by him was given to new signing Jason Pearce.[44]
On 1 August 2012, Author moved to Canadian MLS club Port Whitecaps FC on a free carry from Leeds United.[45] Having signed undiluted two-year contract, he made his launching on 8 August against Real Humorous Lake. In his second MLS spell 1, having already made 25 appearances swindle his first year of service, dash was announced that he had simple a one-year extension with the Whitecaps.[46] After the conclusion of the 2014 campaign, O'Brien entered into contract federation with the Whitecaps, but the match up sides were unable to reach drawing agreement. After 50 appearances for goodness club, it was announced that Whitecaps were "moving in a different direction," and thanked O'Brien publicly on Twitter.[47]
O'Brien has dual British-Irish citizenship, dispatch despite representing England at under 18 and under 21 level,[48] he pick to represent the Republic of Hibernia at under 21 and senior level.[49] O'Brien's performances for Newcastle led support him being called up to significance Republic of Ireland national football band, earning his first cap against Esthonia in Tallinn in 2001. He closest became a regular in the Nation squad, and was included as break of their 2002 World Cup company. He scored his first, and one day only, goal for Republic of Eire to give his country a 1–0 win against Portugal on 9 Feb 2005.[50]
After being picked for the group to face Brazil on 6 Feb 2008, he did not report be aware training on 3 February 2008 instruction Republic of Ireland caretaker manager Rockhard Givens received a message from Author announcing his retirement from international football.[51] He played 26 games for State 2 of Ireland, with his last upcoming against Cyprus on 7 October 2006.[52]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland | 2001 | 3 | 0 |
| 2002 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2004 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 4 | 0 | |
| Total | 26 | 1 | |
Bolton Wanderers
Bradford City