Full name James John O'Brien Playing position Years Team Weight 64 kg | Place of birth Alexandria, Scotland Number 6 Height 1.78 m Career start 2005 | |
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Date of birth (1987-09-28) 28 September 1987 (age 29) Current team Ross County F.C. (Midfielder) | ||
James John "Jim" O'Brien (born 28 September 1987) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger for Ross County, on loan from English club Shrewsbury Town.
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Celtic
O'Brien made his debut in a 2–1 victory over Gretna on 7 October 2007, he filled in as a right-back due to all of Celtic's recognised players in that position being injured.
Dunfermline Athletic (loan)
O'Brien was loaned from Celtic to Dunfermline Athletic during the 2006–07 season. He made his debut in their 3–2 Scottish Cup victory over Rangers on 7 January 2007. He scored his first goal in Dunfermline's 4–1 victory over Motherwell on 7 May 2007.
Dundee United (loan)
O'Brien joined Dundee United on loan on 31 January until May 2008.
Motherwell
On 8 August 2008, O'Brien signed for Motherwell. O'Brien scored four goals in 64 league appearances for Motherwell, earning selection for the PFA Scotland team of the year in 2009–10.
Barnsley
On 7 May 2010, O'Brien signed a pre-contract agreement with English Championship side Barnsley, then under the stewardship of Mark Robins. He scored his first goal for the South Yorkshire side with a tap in during a thumping 5–2 win against rivals Leeds United at Oakwell in September 2010. Although he had quite a hard time settling at Barnsley during his first season, he gradually made himself a fans' favourite due to his tireless energy and workrate.
As of 5 April 2013, O'Brien has scored 5 and assisted 8 goals for the Reds. In May 2014, O'Brien rejected a new contract offer from Barnsley.
Coventry City
Jim O'Brien completed a move to Coventry City on 4 July 2014 on a two-year contract. He made his league debut on the opening day of the 2014/15 season in a 3–2 defeat to Bradford City. He scored a disputed first goal for the club against Sheffield United at Sixfields which has later been credited as an own goal for Blades defender Bob Harris. His second goal for the club was less disputable as he scored from close-range to make the score 2–2 against Peterborough United at the Ricoh Arena on 25 October 2014, the Sky Blues went on to win the game 3–2.
On 15 February 2016, O'Brien was loaned out to Scunthorpe United on an emergency basis.
Shrewsbury Town
On 17 June 2016, O'Brien completed a move to League One side Shrewsbury Town . He signed a two-year deal arriving as a free agent following his release from Coventry. A first-team regular during the first half of the season, he scored his first goal for the club in an FA Cup second-round replay against Fleetwood Town.
Ross County (loan)
On 18 January 2017, O'Brien joined Scottish Premiership side Ross County on loan until the end of the 2016–17 season. He made his debut for the club as a substitute in a Scottish Cup fourth-round tie against Dundee United, scoring the final goal in a 6−2 victory.
International career
Although O'Brien represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 and under-21 levels, he opted to switch allegiances and represent the nation of his birth, citing a chance to work with Craig Levein, who he also worked with while at Dundee United.