PLAYER PROFILE

Andy O'Brien, A

Position: Defence

Height: 6'1

Weight: 11st 6lbs

Date of Birth: 1979-06-26 Harrogate, England

Andy O'Brien, A

Andrew O'Brien is a central defender of impressive ilk who was particularly popular with the Bradford faithful when he first emerged. A product of the Bantams' excellent youth policy, he made his first team debut in 1996 in a First Division clash with against Queens Park Rangers. He was just 17 at the time.

O'Brien quickly showed that he had the ability to play top-level football in England and became a regular in the first team squad thereafter. Such was his superb progress that he represented England at under-18 level and became an important figure in the Bradford side which was promoted in 1999 and which defied the odds to stay in the Premiership in 2000.

In the following season, O'Brien became known as Bradford's 'Mr.Reliable' in a season in which many of the energies expended by Bradford players were dedicated to a battle against relegation from the Premiership. From his 1996 debut to the time of his £2 million move to Newcastle, he made 130 appearances in total for the Bantams and scored three goals.

Born in Harrogate, O'Brien chose not to pursue his international career with England, instead preferring the lure that the Republic of Ireland offered and so represented Eire at U-21 level. Strong, combative and competitive O'Brien's career is still only in its infancy and, even at this early stage, seems sure to be a hugely successful one. He was included in the Republic of Ireland squad for the 2002 World Cup although never actually made it off the bench.

Along with Nikos Dabizas, he was a rock at the heart of Newcastle's defence in 2001/02 and was also ever present during the 2002/03 season. Andy signed a new deal with the Magpies in 2002, which will keep him at the club until 2007.

He continued in the same vein during the 2003/04 season, getting sent off twice and scoring once. He made 38 appearances in 2004/05, but at the end of the season left the Magpies to join Portsmouth.

His first season at Fratton Park was a successful one as his experience and 32 appearances helped Pompey avoid relegation.

However, he struggled to break into the first team after the arrival of the likes of Sol Campbell and in August 2007 he left Pompey and joined Bolton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee.