Andrew O'Brien Bio Send To Friend  

Something of a renaissance man at the Reebok, O'Brien finished the 2007/8 season with his career newly revived after a successful battle against relegation.

An unhappy spell at Portsmouth came to an end when he was signed by Sammy Lee in August 2007, a signing that mystified many but proved to be a great piece of business by the ill-fated Lee

O'Brien's four-year stay with Newcastle United had came to an end in June 2005 when he moved to Portsmouth for £2million. He rarely featured after Harry Redknapp replaced Alain Perrin and got his move after only three league matches for Pompey.

O'Brien is a product of the Bradford City's youth policy. He joined the Bantams as a trainee in October 1996.

He made his debut against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on October 16, 1996.

The quality of his defending won him many admirers and despite playing for England at Under-18 level, he decided to join the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad during 1999/2000.

As Bradford began to prepare for life back in the First Division, O'Brien was sold to Newcastle United for £2million in March 2001.

The move came after O'Brien acted on a gentlemen's agreement which meant Bradford would not stand in his way if the right move came along.

The player's debut for the full Republic side came in a World Cup qualifier in Estonia, and although he made Mick McCarthy's squad for the finals he played no part.

He moved to Fratton Park after playing 172 games for the Magpies, scoring seven goals.

His Portsmouth debut came in a 2-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur, and he remained a first choice throughout 2005/06.

But following the signing of Sol Campbell he found himself pushed down the pecking order.