Josh O'Brien

Joshua Manfred O'Brien (born 7 February 2003) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder 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.

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. On 20 November 2024, Indy Eleven announced O'Brien would return for the 2025 season.

O'Brien scored his first goal of the 2025 season, and second for Indy Eleven, in a 1–1 draw against Birmingham Legion FC on 28 June in the USL Cup.

Personal O'Brien's brother, Ethan O'Brien, is also a professional footballer, with the brothers playing together at Indy Eleven in 2024.

Career statistics