Joseph Martin "Joey" O'Brien (born 17 February 1986) is an Irish international footballer who plays as a midfielder or defender for Bolton Wanderers of the Premier League.

Born in Dublin, O'Brien started his career with Bolton Wanderers in 2004.

To gain further experience, O'Brien was loaned out to League One team Sheffield Wednesday for the most part of the 2004–05 season, making 15 appearances and scoring two goals, including one on his debut. He was named as captain for the last game of his loan spell in honour of his contribution.

Upon returning to Bolton, O'Brien made his Premier League debut in May 2005 against Everton when coming on as a late substitute in place of Fernando Hierro. He was given his first start in Bolton's colours in their away UEFA Cup 1st Round tie with PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv in September 2005. O'Brien missed most of the 2006–07 season due to injury, however he made his return for Bolton and played most of the 2007–08 season in his natural midfield role as opposed to the right back position which he had been used two years previous.

In July 2008 he was given the number 8 shirt previously worn by Iván Campo but injury problems struck once again with O'Brien featuring in just a handful of games throughout the 2008-2009 season.

On 29 October 2009, he signed a one-year extension to his contract thus keeping him at Bolton until the summer of 2011.^[1]

[edit] International career

He made his debut for his country on 1 March 2006^[2] against Sweden during Steve Staunton's first game in charge. He has yet to play under current manager Giovanni Trappatoni.

[edit] References

1. ^ O'Brien Signs Contract Extension
2. ^ fai.ie

[edit] External links

• Joey O'Brien career stats at Soccerbase

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