Swindon Town Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of centre-half Jake O’Brien from Premier League side Crystal Palace.
O’Brien arrives at SN1 from Selhurst Park on loan until the end of the 2021-22 season, and he will further bolster Head Coach Ben Garner’s defensive options.
After impressing for Cork City, the giant defender signed for Palace on an initial loan deal in February 2021, and that was made permanent this past summer.
He hit the ground running for Palace’s Development Team, scoring his first goal for the club against Sunderland in March 2021, before scoring two more against Middlesbrough in a crucial game at the end of the season.
Speaking after sealing O’Brien’s signature, Swindon Town’s Director of Football, Ben Chorley, said: “Jake is an imposing 1st contact centre-half.
“He enjoys competing in both boxes. Plays with aggression and a desire that I think you need to be a top player. He showed a fantastic work effort and consistent development from the many times he’s been watched over the last year.
“After making contact with Crystal Palace, and presenting our plans, both myself and Ben Garner had great conversations with Jake and his representative, Pat Dean, and we are delighted with the outcome.
“Crystal Palace have a top Academy structure. This further signals the relationships and the trust Cat 1 clubs have in Swindon Town to develop and enhance their best young players on and off the pitch.
“We wish Jake all the best for the season.”
Fresh after putting pen to paper at The County Ground, O’Brien revealed his excitement at joining what is already a special group, in addition to outlining what fans should expect from him.
“I’m delighted to be joining Swindon and hopefully I can play a part in us getting up the table,” O’Brien told swindontownfc.co.uk.
“I see myself coming in as a ball-playing centre-half, I have a lot of height and I think I can be good in both boxes, score and defend and I think I can add to the team.
“There is no better team in League Two in my eyes to come to than Swindon Town.”
Jake O’Brien becomes our second signing of the January Transfer Window following the arrival of Goalkeeper Emmanuel Idem on Monday.
