Max O'Leary explained

Max O'Leary
Fullname:Max Edward O'Leary[1]
Birth Date:10 October 1996
Birth Place:Bath, England
Height:1.89m (06.2feet)[2]
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Bristol City
Clubnumber:1
Youthyears1:2006–2015
Youthclubs1:Bristol City
Years1:2013–
Clubs1:Bristol City
Caps1:125
Goals1:0
Years2:2016
Clubs2:Kidderminster Harriers (loan)
Caps2:5
Goals2:0
Years3:2016–2017
Clubs3:Bath City (loan)
Caps3:37
Goals3:0
Years4:2017–2018
Clubs4:Solihull Moors (loan)
Caps4:6
Goals4:0
Years5:2018
Clubs5:Solihull Moors (loan)
Caps5:17
Goals5:0
Years6:2019–2020
Clubs6:Shrewsbury Town (loan)
Caps6:30
Goals6:0
Club-Update:29 March 2024
Nationalyears1:2023–
Nationalteam1:Republic of Ireland
Nationalcaps1:0
Nationalgoals1:0

Max Edward O'Leary (born 10 October 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for club Bristol City. Born and raised in England, he plays international football for the Republic of Ireland.

Early life

Born in Bath, Somerset, O'Leary attended Beechen Cliff School alongside fellow Bristol City academy graduate Zak Vyner.[3]

Club career

He began his career with Bristol City and was first included in a matchday squad on 22 October 2013, remaining an unused substitute in a 2–1 home loss to Brentford.[4]

On 9 January 2016, O'Leary was on the bench in a Bristol City squad with only six substitutes due to squad depletion. He came on at half time in the 2–2 draw away to West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup third round, replacing the injured Frank Fielding.[5]

O'Leary joined National League side Kidderminster Harriers on 18 March 2016, on loan until the end of the season.[6] He was recalled a month later when Fielding was ruled out with injury for the rest of the season.[7]

On 26 August 2016, O'Leary joined National League South side Bath City on loan until 31 January 2017.[8] His spell at his hometown club was extended to the end of the season.[9]

O'Leary joined National League side Solihull Moors on loan on 24 November 2017, until the following 6 January,[10] but was recalled on 1 January 2018 due to Fielding being suspended.[11] O'Leary eventually rejoined Solihull on loan until the end of the season, once Fielding had returned from his suspension.[12]

In July 2018, O'Leary signed a new three-year deal with the option of a fourth at Bristol City.[13] On 17 October, manager Lee Johnson announced O'Leary would make his full league debut in the following weekend fixture away at Brentford.[14] He kept a clean sheet in the 1–0 win at Griffin Park on 20 October.[15]

On 5 July 2019, O'Leary signed for League One side Shrewsbury Town on a one-year loan.[16] In 2023, O' Leary further committed his future at Bristol City by signing a three-year deal.Also in 2023, Max O' Leary was rewarded with the Number 1 shirt at his boyhood club. Since then Max O' Leary has gone on to further develop becoming one of the clubs most consistent and reliable players known for his calming presence.

International career

On 25 May 2019, O'Leary was called up to the Republic of Ireland national team for the first time to replace the injured Mark Travers, ahead of UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Denmark and Gibraltar, qualifying through a Kerry-born grandfather.[17] On 24 March 2022, he was called into the squad for their friendly matches against Belgium and Lithuania following injuries to Gavin Bazunu and Mark Travers and again in June because of injuries to Gavin Bazunu and James Talbot.[18]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Bristol City2015–16Championship00200020
2016–17Championship00000000
2017–18Championship00000000
2018–19Championship1500010160
2019–20Championship0000
2020–21Championship30202070
2021–22Championship901010110
2022–23Championship3304000370
2023–24Championship4604020520
Total1060130601250
Kidderminster Harriers (loan)2015–16National League50000050
Bath City (loan)2016–17[19] National League South3700010380
Solihull Moors (loan)2017–18National League2300020250
Shrewsbury Town (loan)2019–20League One300300010340
Career total201016060402270

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Retained List 2015-16. English Football League. 26 June 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161202052144/http://www.efl.com/documents/professional-retained-report-2015-16549-3151378.pdf. 2 December 2016. dmy-all.
  2. Web site: Max O'Leary - Goalkeeper - First Team - Shrewsbury Town . Shrewsbury Town F.C. . 27 March 2020 . 19 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200519021832/https://www.shrewsburytown.com/teams/first-team/goalkeeper/max-oleary/ . dead .
  3. Web site: Beechen Cliff School Easter Newsletter 2013. April 20, 2023.
  4. News: Bristol City 1–2 Brentford . 5 July 2019 . BBC Sport . 22 October 2013.
  5. Web site: West Bromwich Albion 2–2 Bristol City . BBC Sport . 9 January 2016 . 9 January 2016 .
  6. Web site: Max O'Leary: Bristol City goalkeeper joins Kidderminster Harriers on loan . BBC Sport . 18 March 2016 . 6 April 2016 .
  7. News: Frank Fielding: Bristol City goalkeeper ruled out for rest of season . 5 July 2019 . BBC Sport . 14 April 2016.
  8. Web site: O'Leary joins Bath on loan . Bristol City FC. 26 August 2016. 7 March 2017 .
  9. News: O'Leary Stays & is Joined by Striker . 5 July 2019 . Non-League . 5 January 2017.
  10. Web site: O'LEARY AND ATKINSON ARRIVE AT MOORS. Solihull Moors F.C.. 24 November 2017. 26 November 2017 .
  11. Web site: Steele replaces suspended Fielding . Bristol City F.C. . 1 January 2018 . 2 January 2018 .
  12. News: Max O'Leary and Kwame Thomas extend Solihull Moors loan deals . 5 July 2019 . BBC Sport . 5 January 2018.
  13. News: Lewis . Ed . O'Leary extends his stay in BS3 . 5 July 2019 . Bristol City F.C. . 20 July 2018.
  14. News: O'Leary set for league debut at Brentford . 5 July 2019 . Bristol City F.C. . 17 October 2018.
  15. News: Brentford 0–1 Bristol City . 5 July 2019 . BBC Sport . 20 October 2018.
  16. Web site: O'LEARY SET FOR SHREWSBURY LOAN SWITCH . Bristol City F.C. . 5 July 2019 . 5 July 2019 .
  17. News: Two goalkeepers link up with Ireland squad . 5 July 2019 . Football Association of Ireland . 25 May 2019.
  18. Web site: Bristol City keeper Max O'Leary called into Ireland squad | Football Association of Ireland. www.fai.ie.
  19. Web site: M. O'Leary - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway. Soccerway. 26 November 2017 .