JOEY O'BRIEN

Born: 17 February 1986, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Former clubs: Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield Wednesday (loan)

Republic of Ireland international Joey O'Brien joined West Ham United on a free transfer following a successful week-long trial in July 2011.

A Premier League regular for Bolton Wanderers as a teenager, the Dubliner made his senior international debut just a week past his 20th birthday in March 2006.

Having suffered a disappointing three seasons fighting a succession of knee injuries, O'Brien proved his fitness to manager Sam Allardyce before being snapped up by the Hammers.

2011/12

Joined West Ham United on a free transfer on 30 July 2011...Appeared in pre-season fixtures against BSC Young Boys, FC Basel, Wycombe Wanderers, FC Copenhagen, Dagenham & Redbridge and Real Zaragoza...Made his West Ham United debut in a 1-0 home npower Championship defeat by Cardiff City on 7 August 2011...Netted his first West Ham United goal with a superb solo effort in a 4-0 npower Championship win at Watford on 16 August 2011...Sent-off in the 3-0 npower Championship defeat at Reading on 10 December 2011, leading to a three-match ban...Appeared in the 1-0 FA Cup third-round defeat at former club Sheffield Wednesday on 8 January 2012...Totalled 32 npower Championship appearances, 27 of them starts, and one goal...Missed the npower Championship Play-Off semi-final ties against Cardiff City through injury.

International career

Capped three times by Republic of Ireland at senior level...Made his Republic of Ireland debut in a 3-0 home friendly victory over Sweden in March 2006...Earned senior caps in the 2008 UEFA European Championship qualifying ties against Germany and Cyprus in October 2007...Capped by Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level.

Before West Ham United

Joined Bolton Wanderers at the age of 16 in 2002, making his first-team debut under Sam Allardyce in a Carling Cup tie against Yeovil Town in September 2004...After a successful loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday, returned to the Reebok Stadium to make his Premier League debut against Everton in May 2005 and his first start in a UEFA Cup tie with PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv in September of the same year...Totalled 70 appearances for Bolton Wanderers, including eleven in the UEFA Cup...Appeared against the likes of Besiktas, Zenit St Petersburg, Olympique Marseille, Atletico Madrid and Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup...Returned to Sheffield Wednesday on loan in March 2011, making four League One appearances for the Owls.

Any other business

None.