# Jake O'Brien (footballer)

Jake Patrick O'Brien (born 15 May 2001) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Everton and the Republic of Ireland national team.
O'Brien began his career at Cork City, moving on loan to English club Crystal Palace before the move was made permanent. He spent loan spells at Swindon Town and Belgian club RWD Molenbeek, before moving to French club Lyon in 2023. After one season he returned to England, signing for Everton.
He represented Ireland at under-21 level, before making his senior team debut in 2024.

## Early life

Born in County Cork, O'Brien grew up in Youghal, and in his youth also boxed and played hurling, winning national championships in both at Under-14s level. O'Brien excelled in football as a youth, captaining Youghal United to underage honours, also captaining Cork to the 2013 SFAI Under-12 Inter-League Cup.

## Club career

O'Brien played for Cork City before moving on loan to English club Crystal Palace in February 2021, with the move made permanent in August 2021. He appeared for the Under-23 team at Palace, including in the EFL Trophy. He moved on loan to Swindon Town in January 2022, playing a total of 21 games.
In August 2022, O'Brien was loaned to Belgian club RWD Molenbeek, along with teammate Luke Plange, for the 2022–23 season. RWD Molenbeek qualified for the 2022-23 Challenger Pro League promotion play-offs in his first season with the club, holding a one-point lead over Beveren with two games remaining. O'Brien won the first trophy of his career as Molenbeek clinched the division.
In August 2023 he signed for French club Lyon, making his Ligue 1 debut on 1 October 2023. In doing so he became the first Irishman since Tony Cascarino in 2000 to play in Ligue 1. On 25 May 2024, he scored in the 2024 Coupe de France final as his side were defeated 2–1 by PSG.
In July 2024, after one season in France, O'Brien returned to England, signing a four-year contract with Premier League club Everton. O'Brien scored the second goal for Everton during a pre-season friendly match against Preston North End on 3 August 2024 in his debut match for the club. On 15 March 2025, O'Brien scored against West Ham in extra time to finish the game 1-1, which extended Everton's unbeaten streak to 9 games.

## International career

O'Brien has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level, making 11 appearances between 2021 and 2022. His first call-up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad came in March 2024, ahead of their friendly games against Belgium and Switzerland. On 4 June 2024, O'Brien debuted in a friendly match against Hungary.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of match played 15 March 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Cork City | 2019 | LOI Premier Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Cork City | 2020 | LOI Premier Division | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| Cork City | 2021 | LOI First Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cork City | Total | Total | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Crystal Palace (loan) | 2020–21 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Crystal Palace U21 | 2021–22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Crystal Palace | 2021–22 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Crystal Palace | 2022–23 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| Crystal Palace | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Swindon Town (loan) | 2021–22 | League Two | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| RWD Molenbeek (loan) | 2022–23 | Challenger Pro League | 30 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 31 | 3 |
| Lyon | 2023–24 | Ligue 1 | 27 | 4 | 5 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 32 | 5 |
| Everton | 2024–25 | Premier League | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 2 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 97 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 114 | 10 |
* ↑ Includes FAI Cup, FA Cup, Belgian Cup, Coupe de France
* ↑ Includes League of Ireland Cup, EFL Cup
* ↑ Appearances in Munster Senior Cup
* ↑ Appearance in EFL Trophy
* ↑ Appearances in League Two play-offs

### International

    As of match played 7 September 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Republic of Ireland |
| Republic of Ireland | 2024 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 3 | 0 |

## Honours

RWD Molenbeek
* Challenger Pro League: 2022–23
Lyon
* Coupe de France runner-up: 2023–24