# Thomas O'Brien (footballer)

Thomas O'Brien (born 7 August 1991) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central defender for Scottish League One side Arbroath.

## Career

O'Brien began his footballing career at Dunfermline Athletic's Academy, but moved to Cowdenbeath in 2003. He signed professional terms in 2007, and after loan spells with Rosyth and Kelty Hearts, he made his first team debut on 7 August 2010, in a 2–0 home loss against Ross County. O'Brien scored his first professional goal on 1 October 2011, in a 1–1 away draw against Arbroath.
At the end of the 2014–15 season, O'Brien signed a two-year contract with Scottish League One side Forfar Athletic. He spent two seasons with Forfar, and was named in the 2016–17 PFA Scotland League Two Team of the Year after helping his club return to League One.
O'Brien subsequently signed a two-year deal with Angus rivals Arbroath on 1 June 2017.

## Career statistics

    As of 5 May 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Scottish Cup | Scottish Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Cowdenbeath | 2010–11 | Scottish First Division | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Cowdenbeath | 2011–12 | Scottish Second Division | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 |
| Cowdenbeath | 2012–13 | Scottish First Division | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 36 | 0 |
| Cowdenbeath | 2013–14 | Scottish Championship | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 31 | 4 |
| Cowdenbeath | 2014–15 | Scottish Championship | 31 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 0 |
| Cowdenbeath | Total | Total | 114 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 135 | 5 |
| Forfar Athletic | 2015–16 | Scottish League One | 26 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
| Forfar Athletic | 2016–17 | Scottish League Two | 34 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 44 | 8 |
| Forfar Athletic | Total | Total | 60 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 76 | 8 |
| Arbroath | 2017–18 | Scottish League One | 33 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 42 | 3 |
| Arbroath | 2018–19 | Scottish League One | 32 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 39 | 4 |
| Arbroath | 2019–20 | Scottish Championship | 25 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 0 |
| Arbroath | 2020–21 | Scottish Championship | 26 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 4 |
| Arbroath | 2021–22 | Scottish Championship | 35 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 43 | 4 |
| Arbroath | 2022–23 | Scottish Championship | 29 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 3 |
| Arbroath | 2023–24 | Scottish Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arbroath | Total | Total | 180 | 12 | 13 | 0 | 21 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 226 | 18 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 354 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 29 | 5 | 32 | 5 | 437 | 31 |
* ↑ One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two appearances in the Scottish First Division play-offs
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
* ↑ One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and four appearances and three goals in the Scottish Championship play-offs
* ↑ Two appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup and four appearances in the Scottish League One play-offs
* ↑ One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two appearances in the Scottish Championship play-offs
* ↑ One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs

## Honours
### Club
#### Cowdenbeath

* Scottish Second Division: 2011–12

#### Arbroath

* Scottish League One: 2018–19

### Individual

* Scottish League Two Player of the Month: September 2016
* PFA Scotland Scottish League Two Team of the Year: 2016–17
* PFA Scotland Scottish League One Team of the Year: 2017–18, 2018–19
* PFA Scotland Scottish Championship Team of the Year: 2022–23