Andrew O'Brien

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Andy O'Brien
Personal information
Full name	Andrew O'Brien
Date of birth	June 29, 1979 (age 27)
Place of birth	Harrogate, England
Height	190cm
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current club	Portsmouth
Number	5
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1994–2001 2001–05 2005–present	Bradford City Newcastle United Portsmouth	132 (3) 120 (6) 032 (0)
National team2
2001–present	Republic of Ireland	026 (1)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:54, 12 January 2007 (UTC). 2 National team caps and goals correct as of 12:00, 8 February 2007 (UTC). * Appearances (Goals)

Andrew "Andy" O'Brien, (born June 26, 1979 in Harrogate, England), is an Irish football player.

O'Brien began his footballing career at St John Fisher Catholic High School, Harrogate, under the stewardship of his manager, Max Mills. Talented Defender O'Brien first came to prominence at Bradford City A.F.C. after coming up through the club's youth system, making his senior debut in October 1997 against Queens Park Rangers F.C. He soon became a regular in the Bradford first XI, and helped the Bantams to promotion to the FA Premier League during the 1998/99 season.

Further impressive performances earned him a reputation as a solid centre back, and with it a move to Newcastle United F.C. in March 2001. He quickly became a central figure in the Magpies defence, making over 170 league and cup appearances in the ensuing 4 years.

O'Brien has dual English-Irish citizenship, and despite representing England at U18 level, he elected to represent the Republic of Ireland at senior level. Andy's performances for Newcastle led to him being called up to the Republic of Ireland national football team, earning his first cap against Estonia in Tallinn in 2001. Since then he has become a regular in the Irish squad, including forming an integral part of their 2002 World Cup squad.

Despite several years as a solid defender at Newcastle, Andy suffered from poor form in the latter part of the 2004/05 campaign, as Newcastle finished a disappointing 14th in the Premiership. However, his reputation was such that Portsmouth F.C. paid £2 million to bring him to Fratton Park, making him Alain Perrin's first signing for the club. Although he started the season poorly, his form improved as the campaign wore on. He was forced to miss the conclusion through injury, however. He has since fallen down the Portsmouth first-team list with the arrival of Sol Campbell and the good form of club captain Linvoy Primus.

There were rumours that Sundeland's Irish boss Roy Keane would sign the centre back. This came after Keane signed many Irish players to represent Sunderland.

[edit] External links

• BBC profile
• Andy O'Brien career stats at Soccerbase

	Republic of Ireland squad - 2002 FIFA World Cup
1 Given | 2 Finnan | 3 Harte | 4 Cunningham | 5 Staunton | 6 Roy Keane | 7 McAteer | 8 Holland | 9 Duff | 10 Robbie Keane | 11 Kilbane | 12 Kinsella | 13 Connolly | 14 Breen | 15 Dunne | 16 Kiely | 17 Quinn | 18 G. Kelly | 19 Morrison | 20 O'Brien | 21 Reid | 22 Carsley | 23 A. Kelly | Coach: McCarthy

Portsmouth F.C. - Current Squad
1 James | 2 Primus | 3 Stefanović | 4 Johnson | 5 O'Brien | 6 Traoré | 9 Todorov | 10 Lauren | 11 Pamarot | 14 Taylor | 15 Ashdown | 19 Kranjčar | 21 Songo'o | 22 Hughes | 23 Campbell | 25 Benjani | 26 O'Neil | 27 Kanu | 28 Davis | 29 Douala | 30 Pedro Mendes | 32 LuaLua | 34 Mvuemba | 35 Jordan | Manager: Redknapp