Lewis O'Brien (footballer)

Lewis O'Brien
O'Brien in 2018
Personal information
Full name Lewis John O'Brien[1]
Date of birth (1998-10-14) 14 October 1998 (age 26)[2]
Place of birth Colchester, England
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Los Angeles FC
(on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Number 8
Youth career
2009–2018 Huddersfield Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2022 Huddersfield Town 123 (8)
2018–2019 → Bradford City (loan) 40 (4)
2022– Nottingham Forest 13 (1)
2023 → D.C. United (loan) 17 (1)
2023–2024 → Middlesbrough (loan) 21 (0)
2024– → Los Angeles FC (loan) 9 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 December 2024

Lewis John O'Brien (born 14 October 1998) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC, on loan from Nottingham Forest.

Career

Huddersfield Town

Born in Colchester,[3] O'Brien began his career with Huddersfield Town at the age of 11,[4] where he was named Academy Player of the Year for the 2017–18 season.[5] After signing a new three-year contract with Huddersfield in May 2018, he moved on loan to Bradford City in August 2018 for the 2018–19 season.[6][5][7][8] His signing was met with some criticism on social media by Bradford City fans.[9]

He made his professional debut for Bradford City on 8 September 2018,[10] and later that month was praised by manager David Hopkin.[11] By mid-November 2018 he had become a first-team regular.[12] In December 2018 he was praised by City teammates Hope Akpan,[13] and Jack Payne.[14] Later that month, journalist Simon Parker said that O'Brien was "enjoying an outstanding first season in senior football" and was "a driving force in City's push to get out of the League One drop zone".[15] O'Brien stated playing for City had been "fantastic", that he "felt ready for the challenge", and that he was "happy and determined to enjoy the experience".[16]

On 1 January 2019 he scored his first senior goal, in a 3–0 league win at home to Accrington Stanley.[10] In that same match he was later injured and had to be substituted,[17] although the injury was later announced to not be as serious as feared,[18][19] and he trained in preparation for a league game away at Barnsley on 12 January.[20] In January 2019 it was announced that his loan would continue until the end of the 2018–19 season, after Bradford reached a new deal with parent club Huddersfield.[21][22] In February 2019, following a poor run of results which saw the club drop to second-bottom in the table, O'Brien spoke about his confidence in the players turning things around.[23] Later that month O'Brien was described by The Guardian as a "smash hit".[9]

In March 2019 new manager Gary Bowyer rested O'Brien from first-team duties, ending "a run of 30 successive league starts" in order to be fully fit for the club's relegation battle.[24] Following a return to first-team action, O'Brien spoke about his experience during his first year as a senior professional.[25] In May 2019 he praised David Ball for helping him develop during his time with Bradford,[26] having previously commended Ball for taking him under his wing.[9]

In July 2019, following the end of his loan spell with Bradford and upon his return to parent club Huddersfield, O'Brien was given an improved three-year contract.[27] He won the EFL Goal of the Month in January 2020.[28] He was Huddersfield Town's 'Player of the Year' for the 2019–20 season.[29]

In August 2020, O'Brien suffered a quad injury, missing the start of the 2020–21 season.[30] He remained injured a month later.[31]

O'Brien signed a new contract with the club in September 2021.[32] At the end of the 2021–22 season he was linked with a move to the Premier League.[4]

Nottingham Forest

Following Huddersfield's defeat in the 2022 EFL Championship play-off final, O'Brien, along with his teammate Harry Toffolo, moved to Premier League side Nottingham Forest, who defeated Huddersfield in the aforementioned final.[33][34]

In January 2023, O'Brien was due to be loaned to Blackburn Rovers, but the transfer was not ratified by the English Football League due to late submission of paperwork.[35] O'Brien was subsequently left out of Nottingham Forest's 25-man Premier League squad for the rest of the season.[36]

In March 2023 he began talks with Major League Soccer team D.C. United for a loan move.[37][38] A short-term loan deal was signed on 16 March, running until 16 July 2023.[39][40]

On 31 August 2023, O'Brien joined Championship club Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the 2023–24 season.[41] He suffered leg and ankle injuries on 30 September and was ruled out.[42][43]

On 30 July 2024, O'Brien returned to Major League Soccer to join Los Angeles FC on loan for the remainder of the 2024 season, with a purchase option.[44]

Personal life

O'Brien is a Manchester City fan,[4] and grew up watching the team with his father.[16] During his time with Bradford City, O'Brien used to entertain his teammates by singing.[9]

Career statistics

As of 8 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Huddersfield Town 2018–19[10] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019–20[45] Championship 38 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 39 2
2020–21[46] Championship 42 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 42 3
2021–22[47] Championship 43 3 2 0 2 0 3[a] 0 50 3
Total 123 8 3 0 2 0 3 0 131 8
Bradford City (loan) 2018–19[10] League One 40 4 4 0 0 0 2[b] 0 46 4
Nottingham Forest 2022–23[48] Premier League 13 1 1 0 3 0 0 0 17 1
2023–24[49] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024–25[50] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 13 1 1 0 3 0 0 0 17 1
D.C. United (loan) 2023[3] Major League Soccer 17 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 18 1
Middlesbrough (loan) 2023–24[49] Championship 21 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 23 0
Los Angeles FC (loan) 2024[3] Major League Soccer 9 0 2 0 0 0 4[c] 0 15 0
Career total 222 14 10 0 7 0 9 0 249 14
  1. ^ Appearances in the EFL Championship play-offs
  2. ^ Appearances in the EFL Trophy
  3. ^ Appearances in MLS Cup Playoffs

Honours

Los Angeles FC

Individual

References

  1. ^ "2018/19 Premier League squads confirmed". Premier League. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Lewis O'Brien". Nottingham Forest F.C. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Lewis O'Brien at Soccerway. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Huddersfield's O'Brien linked with Premier League". BBC Sport.
  5. ^ a b Parker, Simon (31 August 2018). "CITY SIGNING: O'Brien joins on season-long loan". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  6. ^ "From City rookie to chasing Premier League place at Wembley: the rise of Lewis O'Brien". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  7. ^ "O'BRIEN JOINS BANTAMS". Bradford City A.F.C. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  8. ^ "Lewis O'Brien: Bradford City sign Huddersfield youngster on season-long loan". BBC Sport. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  9. ^ a b c d Doyle, Paul (19 February 2019). "Bradford's Lewis O'Brien: 'I used Twitter critics as a drive to show who I am'". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  10. ^ a b c d "Games played by Lewis O'Brien in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  11. ^ "Bradford City: Hopkin impressed by O'Brien's start". Telegraph & Argus. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  12. ^ Parker, Simon (13 November 2018). "Bantams: O'Brien makes splash after being thrown in at deep end". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  13. ^ Parker, Simon (13 December 2018). "Bradford City: Akpan hails attacking midfield trio". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  14. ^ Parker, Simon (18 December 2018). "Terriers team-mate's rise surpasses Payne's expectations". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  15. ^ Parker, Simon (22 December 2018). "Bradford City: O'Brien says team fitness has improved". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  16. ^ a b Parker, Simon (26 December 2018). "Bradford City: O'Brien excited for Sunderland showdown". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  17. ^ Parker, Simon (2 January 2019). "Hopkin expects O'Brien to bounce back, as he waits on Payne". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  18. ^ "O'BRIEN AVOIDS INJURY LAY-OFF". Bradford City A.F.C. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2019.
  19. ^ "Bantams confirm O'Brien injury not serious". Telegraph & Argus. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
  20. ^ Parker, Simon (11 January 2019). "Bradford City: Midfield duo both OK for Oakwell". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  21. ^ "HUDDERSFIELD PAIR STAYING PUT". Bradford City A.F.C. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  22. ^ Parker, Simon (15 January 2019). "BREAKING: Payne and O'Brien staying with Bradford City". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  23. ^ Parker, Simon (12 February 2019). "O'Brien backs Bantams to find answer to spoiling tactics". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  24. ^ Parker, Simon (21 March 2019). "Bradford City: O'Brien will be better for breather says boss". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  25. ^ Parker, Simon (16 April 2019). "Bantams: Fast learner O'Brien still top of class". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  26. ^ Parker, Simon (2 May 2019). "Bradford City: Ball has had role in midfielder's progress". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  27. ^ Parker, Simon (16 July 2019). "Former Bantam Lewis O'Brien awarded improved deal at Huddersfield". Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  28. ^ "WATCH: Former City player gains Goal of the Month award". Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
  29. ^ Chicken, Steven (3 August 2020). "Resounding victory crowns new Huddersfield Town Player of the Year". YorkshireLive.
  30. ^ Booth, Mel (21 August 2020). "Corberan blow as O'Brien to miss start of Town season". YorkshireLive.
  31. ^ Chicken, Steven (17 September 2020). "Ward, O'Brien, Daly – Huddersfield Town injury update for Brentford trip". YorkshireLive.
  32. ^ "O'Brien signs new Huddersfield deal". BBC Sport.
  33. ^ "FOREST SECURE SIGNING OF LEWIS O'BRIEN". Nottingham Forest FC. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  34. ^ "Promoted Forest sign O'Brien & Toffolo". BBC Sport.
  35. ^ "Blackburn 'devastated' over failed transfers". BBC Sport. 3 February 2023.
  36. ^ "O'Brien 'let down' by Blackburn — Cooper". The Athletic. 3 February 2023.
  37. ^ "Forest's O'Brien close to DC United loan move". BBC Sport.
  38. ^ Howson, Dom (10 March 2023). "Ex-Huddersfield Town player Lewis O'Brien in talks over loan move to DC United". YorkshireLive.
  39. ^ "D.C. United acquires Lewis O'Brien on short-term loan from Nottingham Forest". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  40. ^ "Limbo ends for Forest's O'Brien as he joins Rooney in MLS". BBC Sport.
  41. ^ "Lewis O'Brien Joins On Loan From Forest". www.mfc.co.uk. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  42. ^ "Boro's O'Brien out with leg and ankle injuries" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  43. ^ Johns, Craig (11 October 2023). "Boro injured duo undergo surgery successfully as road to recovery begins". Teesside Live.
  44. ^ "LAFC Acquires Midfielder Lewis O'Brien On Loan From Nottingham Forest". Los Angeles FC. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  45. ^ "Games played by Lewis O'Brien in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  46. ^ "Games played by Lewis O'Brien in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  47. ^ "Games played by Lewis O'Brien in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  48. ^ "Games played by Lewis O'Brien in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  49. ^ a b "Games played by Lewis O'Brien in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  50. ^ "Games played by Lewis O'Brien in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  51. ^ mlssoccer. "Champions! LAFC win US Open Cup over Sporting Kansas City | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  52. ^ Tomlinson, Adam (3 August 2020). "Lewis O'Brien named Town's Player of the Year". Huddersfield Town AFC. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
  • Profile at the Nottingham Forest F.C. website