Aiden O'Brien

Aiden O'Brien
Aiden Anthony O'Brien (born 4 October 1993) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Sutton United on loan from EFL League One club Shrewsbury Town. Born in England, he represents the Republic of Ireland national team internationally.
Career
Millwall
Born in Islington, London, O'Brien started his career in the youth system at Millwall and signed his first professional contract in 2010 on his 17th birthday. He made his debut for the club in the League Cup third round 5–0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, coming on as a substitute for Dany N'Guessan. On 1 January 2012, O'Brien signed for Conference South side Staines Town on a one-month loan.
A month later, O'Brien signed for Conference Premier side Hayes and Yeading on a one-month loan and immediately found himself playing games.
In May 2014, O'Brien agreed a new two-year deal with Millwall with the 20-year-old being highly regarded by Millwall manager Ian Holloway.
O'Brien made his first appearance of the 2014–15 season coming on as a substitute for Richard Chaplow against Southampton in the League Cup. The game finished 2–0 to Southampton. A month later, in September 2014, he made his first league appearance for Millwall in a 3–1 defeat to Birmingham City. O'Brien spoke of his delight of fulfilling a lifelong ambition when he made his league debut for Millwall and has dedicated the achievement to his father.
At the end of the 2017–18 season, his contract was extended by Millwall after the club exercised an option. He left Millwall at the end of 2019–2020 season, after his contract expired.
Sunderland
On 30 July 2020, O’Brien signed for Sunderland, on a two-year deal. On 8 September 2020 he scored his first goal for Sunderland in an EFL Trophy tie against Aston Villa U21s.
On 24 August 2021, O'Brien scored a hat-trick against Blackpool in the second round of the EFL Cup. His third goal came in the first minute of stoppage time to secure a dramatic 3–2 victory, earning him the "Player of the Round" award.
Portsmouth
On 31 January 2022, O'Brien joined EFL League One side Portsmouth on a free transfer. He scored his first goal for the club against Doncaster Rovers on 12 February 2022.
Shrewsbury
Despite being offered a new contract by Portsmouth, O'Brien opted to sign a two-year deal with fellow EFL League One side Shrewsbury Town.
Gillingham (loan)
On the last day of the January 2023 transfer window O'Brien signed for EFL League Two side Gillingham on loan for the remainder of the 2022–23 season.
Sutton United (loan)
On 1 August 2023, O'Brien signed for League Two club Sutton United on loan until January 2024.
International career
On 6 February 2013, O'Brien scored on his debut for the Republic of Ireland U21s against Netherlands in a 3–0 win at Tallaght Stadium.
O'Brien then scored his first competitive goal and his third goal for Ireland in 4–1 away win against the Faroe Islands.
On 15 November 2013, O'Brien scored another two goals against the Faroe Islands in a 5–2 win at The Showgrounds.
O'Brien has scored five times for the U21s and is two off Robbie Brady's all time goal scoring record with seven.
In September 2017, O'Brien was called up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad for 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Wales.
On 11 September 2018, O'Brien scored his first senior international goal for Ireland on his debut in a friendly against Poland in Wrocław which finished 1–1. The goal would later be named as the 2018 FAI International Goal of the Year.
Career statistics
Club
International
Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each O'Brien goal.
Honours
Millwall
EFL League One play-offs: 2017
Sunderland
EFL Trophy: 2020–21
Individual
EFL League One Player of the Month: October 2015
FAI International Goal of the Year: 2018
See also
List of Republic of Ireland international footballers born outside the Republic of Ireland
References
External links
1993 births
Living people
English people of Irish descent
Footballers from Islington (district)
Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
English men's footballers
Men's association football forwards
Republic of Ireland men's international footballers
Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers
Millwall F.C. players
Staines Town F.C. players
Hayes & Yeading United F.C. players
Crawley Town F.C. players
Aldershot Town F.C. players
Torquay United F.C. players
Sunderland A.F.C. players
Portsmouth F.C. players
Gillingham F.C. players
Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
Sutton United F.C. players
English Football League players
National League (English football) players