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A.O'Brien Profile

Andrew OBrien, Bolton Wanderers 

Andy O'Brien

Born: 26th June 1979, Harrogate, England

International Honours: Full level (Ireland)

Position: Centre Half

Squad Number: 31

Former Clubs: Bradford City, Clyde (loan), Newcastle United, Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers

Wanderers manager Sammy Lee made Irish international defender Andy O'Brien his twelvth signing of the 2007-2008 season when paying Portsmouth a fee in the region of £1.2 million for the powerful centre half.

O'Brien had lost his place at Fratton Park due to the form of Sol Campbell and Linvoy Primus and the addition of Sylvain Distin did little to help his chances of a first team return.

Beginning his career at Bradford City as a youth trainee in October 1996, O'Brien represented England at youth and U21 level before going onto win over 25 caps with the Republic of Ireland.

After a short spell on loan in Scotland with Clyde he helped Bradford to achieve promotion to the Premiership in 1999 and was a key member of the side which maintained their Premiership status at the end of the 1999-2000 season.

In March 2001 he was a surprise signing by the then Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson and O'Brien wasted no time in swapping the relegation threatened Bantams for the UEFA Cup chasing Magpies.

Ironically his debut for Newcastle came against Bradford and he did well enough to keep his place alongside Nikos Dabizas for the rest of the 2000-2001 campaign.

In 2001-2002 he missed just a handful of Premiership games as a Newcastle team containing Gary Speed finished just nine points behind league runners up Liverpool.

He played in the Champions League for the Toon Army the following season but the signing of Jonathan Woodgate from Leeds United restricted his appearances in the side.

Woodgate's injury problems and the loss of form of Titus Bramble allowed O'Brien to reclaim his place in the 2003-2004 season and he managed to score a rare goal for the Magpies in the 3-1 win over Fulham in January 2004.

His last season at Newcastle was under Graeme Souness management and he was in and out of the side once more thus paving the way for a move south to Portsmouth for £2 million two summers ago.

After a shaky start at Fratton Park he soon adapted to life on the South Coast but the signing of former England defender Sol Campbell restricted him to just 3 league appearances last term.

BOLTON RECORD:

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