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. He excelled at football as a youth, captaining Youghal United to underage honours, also captaining Cork to the 2013 SFAI Under-12 Inter-League Cup. At age 16, O'Brien was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and later served as an ambassador of Diabetes Ireland.
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. On 26 February 2026, he scored his first goal for Everton in a 1–1 draw with Brentford.
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
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCork City2019Jake O'Brien Profile Cork City F.C.LOI Premier Division100000001020208010—301202021LOI First Division0000—0000Total90100030130Crystal Palace (loan)2020–21Premier League000000—00Crystal Palace U212021–22———1010Crystal Palace2021–22Premier League000000—002022–23000000—00Total0000000000Swindon Town (loan)2021–22League Two19000—20210RWD Molenbeek (loan)2022–23Challenger Pro League30310——313Lyon2023–24Ligue 127451——325Everton2024–25Premier League2022020—2422025–26Premier League3711020—4012026–27Premier League200010—30Total593305000673Career total14410101506016511
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsRepublic of Ireland2024302025100202680Total210
Honours RWD Molenbeek Challenger Pro League: 2022–23
Lyon Coupe de France runner-up: 2023–24
References
External links Profile at the Everton F.C. website