Josh O'Brien

Joshua Manfred O'Brien (born 7 February 2003) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for USL Championship club Indy Eleven.

Early life
O'Brien was born in Dublin, but moved to the United States at ten weeks old due to a change in his father's job. O'Brien's father is Irish and his mother, Nicole, is German. O'Brien has four brothers; Aran represented Santa Clara University and Ethan played for the University of Notre Dame. O'Brien was educated at Eastside Catholic in Washington state and Archbishop Mitty in California.

Youth career
O'Brien began his career with the Crossfire academy, though moved to Northern California to join developmental team De Anza Force in 2020. He attended the University of Washington, but in 2021 put his studies on hold to join English Premier League club Watford on a one-year contract (with the option of a further year) following a successful trial. O'Brien had been recommended to the club by the brother of Northern Ireland international George Saville. O'Brien was released by Watford in the summer of 2022 and joined the development squad at Salford City of EFL League Two.

Professional career
O'Brien made his senior debut for Salford on 30 August 2022, playing the full ninety minutes of a 2–1 win over Liverpool U21 at Moor Lane, and his first league start came against Northampton Town, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 win at Sixfields. On 12 December he joined Telford United on loan.

O'Brien joined Scottish League One side Hamilton Academical in August 2023, making 10 total appearances for the South Lanarkshire club.

On 1 February 2024, Indianapolis-based club Indy Eleven announced the signing of O'Brien ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The USL Championship club's owners had been interested in signing O'Brien since he joined Watford's development squad in 2021. O'Brien made his first appearance with the Eleven in their 2–1 season opening defeat against Oakland Roots as a substitute in the 75th minute, replacing Younes Boudadi. O'Brien scored his first goal for the Eleven on 1 June in a 2–1 away win against Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Personal
O'Brien's brother, Ethan O'Brien, is also a professional footballer. Ethan joined his brother at Indy Eleven in 2024.