Josh O'Brien explained

Josh O'Brien
Fullname:Joshua Manfred O'Brien
Birth Date:7 February 2003
Birth Place:Dublin, Ireland
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Indy Eleven
Youthyears1:20??–2020
Youthclubs1:Seattle Sounders FC
Youthyears2:2020–2021
Youthclubs2:De Anza Force
Youthyears3:2021–2022
Youthclubs3:Watford
Years1:2022–2023
Clubs1:Salford City
Caps1:2
Goals1:0
Years2:2022–2023
Clubs2:Telford United (loan)
Caps2:10
Goals2:1
Years3:2023–2024
Clubs3:Hamilton Academical
Caps3:8
Goals3:0
Club-Update:12:47, 5 August 2024 (UTC)
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:Indy Eleven
Caps4:19
Goals4:1

Joshua Manfred O'Brien (born 7 February 2003) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for USL Championship club Indy Eleven.

Early life

O'Brien was born in Dublin, but moved to the United States at ten weeks old due to a change in his father's job.[1] O'Brien's father is Irish and his mother, Nicole, is German.[1] O'Brien has four brothers; Aran represented Santa Clara University and Ethan played for the University of Notre Dame.[1] O'Brien was educated at Eastside Catholic in Washington state and Archbishop Mitty in California.[1]

Career

Youth career

O'Brien began his career with the Crossfire academy, though moved to Northern California to join developmental team De Anza Force in 2020. He attended the University of Washington, but in 2021 put his studies on hold to join English Premier League club Watford on a one-year contract (with the option of a further year) following a successful trial. O'Brien had been recommended to the club by the brother of Northern Ireland international George Saville. O'Brien was released by Watford in the summer of 2022 and joined the development squad at Salford City of EFL League Two.[2]

Professional career

O'Brien made his senior debut for Salford on 30 August 2022, playing the full ninety minutes of a 2–1 win over Liverpool U21 at Moor Lane,[3] and his first league start came against Northampton Town, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 win at Sixfields.[4] On 12 December he joined Telford United on loan.[5]

O'Brien joined Scottish League One side Hamilton Academical in August 2023, making 10 total appearances for the South Lanarkshire club.[6]

On 1 February 2024, Indianapolis-based club Indy Eleven announced the signing of O'Brien ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season.[7] The USL Championship club's owners had been interested in signing O'Brien since he joined Watford's development squad in 2021.[8] O'Brien made his first appearance with the Eleven in their 2–1 season opening defeat against Oakland Roots as a substitute in the 75th minute, replacing Younes Boudadi.[9] O'Brien scored his first goal for the Eleven on 1 June in a 2–1 away win against Pittsburgh Riverhounds.[10]

Personal

O'Brien's brother, Ethan O'Brien, is also a professional footballer. Ethan joined his brother at Indy Eleven in 2024.[11]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueDomestic CupLeague CupTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Salford City2022–23EFL League Two20002[12] 040
Telford United (loan)2022–23National League North1010000101
Hamilton Academical2023–24Scottish League One802040140
Indy Eleven2024USL Championship1914000231
Career total3926060512

Notes and References

  1. News: Leventhal . Adam . Adam Leventhal . Josh O'Brien, the Irish-American who went on trial at Watford and ended up winning a pro deal . 10 December 2022 . . 6 August 2021.
  2. Web site: Josh O'Brien . Salford City Football Club . 10 December 2022.
  3. News: EFL Trophy (Sky Sports) . 10 December 2022 . Sky Sports .
  4. News: Cox . Lewis . Kevin Wilkin hoping Telford loanee will be success . 20 December 2022 . 7 January 2023 . Shropshire Star.
  5. Web site: Josh O'Brien joins AFC Telford United on loan . Salford City Football Club . 4 January 2023.
  6. Web site: McGilvray . Andy . 2023-08-05 . Hamilton Accies boss not finished in transfer market despite double signing . 2024-02-01 . Daily Record . en.
  7. Web site: Indy Eleven Announces Addition of Defender Josh O'Brien . 2024-02-01 . Indy Eleven . en-US.
  8. Web site: Healy . Tommy . Irish American defender Josh O'Brien signs with USL Championship team Indy Eleven . 2024-02-01 . extratime.com . en.
  9. Web site: Recap - OAK 2:1 IND . 2024-03-13 . Indy Eleven . en-US.
  10. Web site: RECAP - PIT 1:2 IND . 2024-06-03 . Indy Eleven . en-US.
  11. Web site: Indy Eleven Announces Signing of Notre Dame Standout Ethan O’Brien . 2024-03-19 . Indy Eleven . en-US.
  12. Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy