Irish News:After a year in the wilderness of the Portsmouth reserves, Andy O'Brien finally left the English south coast yesterday, a €1.8-million move to Bolton Wanderers offering the 28-year-old defender the chance to get his career back on track.
"He is a nice one to have on board," said the Wanderers boss, Sammy Lee, after confirming the signing. "One thing Andy brings is Premier League experience. I've been impressed with his defensive qualities throughout the years and he's a good addition to the squad."
Bolton certainly looked vulnerable at the back in Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Newcastle United, though one suspects it is the Republic of Ireland international who has most to gain from the move.
O'Brien, who has played with Bradford and Newcastle, was a first-team regular at Fratton Park after arriving for €3 million two years ago but barely featured for manager Harry Redknapp last season.
There was interest from a number of clubs during that time but the Harrowgate-born defender was apparently keen to avoid having to take a substantial drop in wages or dropping down a division and therefore opted to stay put.
The decision cost him his place in the Ireland team, Steve Staunton dropping him in the wake of the disastrous decision to play him while not fully fit in Cyprus last year and then passing him over in favour of those playing regularly for clubs.
O'Brien now faces a fight to regain his status as a first-choice international, given the emergence of others, particularly Paul McShane, but could be back in contention quite soon as he is in line to be part of the Wanderers squad for tomorrow's game against Fulham.
Also on the move yesterday was the 22-year-old Luton Town right back Kevin Foley, who became Mick McCarthy's latest recruit for this season's promotion drive with Wolves. The fee is believed to be around €750,000, which could double, depending on appearances.
Though still young, Foley brings plenty of experience with him to Molineux, having been a regular at Kenilworth Road since breaking into the first team three years ago. He has been capped at under-19 and under-21 and was last year included in a few of Staunton's senior squads.
"Kevin is a young, bright, attacking full back who will give us added competition for places," said McCarthy. "He is hungry to do well and the sort of player who meets the club's aspirations."
