Joey O'Brien
Encyclopedia
Joseph Martin "Joey" O'Brien (born 17 February 1986) is an Irish
international footballer who plays as a defender
or midfielder
for West Ham United
.
in 2004.
To gain further experience, O'Brien was loaned out to League One team Sheffield Wednesday
for the most part of the 2004–05 season, making 15 appearances and scoring two goals, including one on his debut. He was named as captain for the last game of his loan spell in honour of his contribution.
Upon returning to Bolton, O'Brien made his Premier League debut in May 2005 against Everton
when coming on as a late substitute in place of Fernando Hierro
. He was given his first start in Bolton's colours in their away UEFA Cup
1st Round tie with PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv
in September 2005. O'Brien missed most of the 2006–07 season due to injury, however he made his return for Bolton and played most of the 2007–08 season in his natural midfield role as opposed to the right back position which he had been used two years previous.
In July 2008 he was given the number 8 shirt previously worn by Iván Campo
but injuries restricted his appearances throughout the 2008–09 season.
On 29 October 2009, he signed a one-year extension to his contract keeping him at Bolton until the summer of 2011.
On 24 March 2011, he joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan for a second time until the end of the season, and made his debut two days later in a 1-1 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge
. At the end of the season he was released by Bolton.
. He featured in pre-season friendlies against BSC Young Boys
and F.C. Basel before being signed on 30 July on a free transfer. He made his competitive debut on 7 August 2011 in 1-0 home defeat to Cardiff City
and scored his first goal for West Ham in a 4-0 away win against Watford
on 16 August 2011; his first goal since January 2005.
during Steve Staunton
's first game in charge.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
international footballer who plays as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
or midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
for West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
.
Bolton Wanderers
O'Brien started his career with Bolton WanderersBolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
in 2004.
To gain further experience, O'Brien was loaned out to League One team Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
for the most part of the 2004–05 season, making 15 appearances and scoring two goals, including one on his debut. He was named as captain for the last game of his loan spell in honour of his contribution.
Upon returning to Bolton, O'Brien made his Premier League debut in May 2005 against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
when coming on as a late substitute in place of Fernando Hierro
Fernando Hierro
Fernando Ruiz Hierro is a retired Spanish footballer. He is mostly known for his spells with Real Madrid and Spain, appearing in more than 500 official games with the former and representing the latter on nearly 100 occasions, whilst appearing in four World Cups and two European...
. He was given his first start in Bolton's colours in their away UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
1st Round tie with PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv
PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv
PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv is a Bulgarian football club from the city of Plovdiv, which competes in Bulgaria's top football league, the A PFG. The club was founded on July 25, 1926 when two of the oldest Plovdiv clubs - Atletic and Karadzha united into a new club named Sports Club Plovdiv...
in September 2005. O'Brien missed most of the 2006–07 season due to injury, however he made his return for Bolton and played most of the 2007–08 season in his natural midfield role as opposed to the right back position which he had been used two years previous.
In July 2008 he was given the number 8 shirt previously worn by Iván Campo
Iván Campo
Iván Campo Ramos is a retired Spanish footballer.Originally a central defender, Campo featured in a defensive midfield role in his later years...
but injuries restricted his appearances throughout the 2008–09 season.
On 29 October 2009, he signed a one-year extension to his contract keeping him at Bolton until the summer of 2011.
On 24 March 2011, he joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan for a second time until the end of the season, and made his debut two days later in a 1-1 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
. At the end of the season he was released by Bolton.
West Ham United
In July 2011 he was handed a trial by West Ham UnitedWest Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
. He featured in pre-season friendlies against BSC Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
and F.C. Basel before being signed on 30 July on a free transfer. He made his competitive debut on 7 August 2011 in 1-0 home defeat to Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
and scored his first goal for West Ham in a 4-0 away win against Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
on 16 August 2011; his first goal since January 2005.
International career
He made his debut for his country on 1 March 2006, against SwedenSweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
during Steve Staunton
Steve Staunton
Stephen "Steve" Staunton is an Irish association football manager and former professional footballer, who was most recently manager of Darlington...
's first game in charge.