The Official Portsmouth Website made the following announcement today:
Pompey have completed the signing of goalkeeper Liam O’Brien from QPR. The Blues have paid the Championship side an undisclosed fee for the 16 year old. O’Brien, who has signed as a schoolboy, has also agreed a two-year scholarship, which begins next Season. The 6ft 2ins Londoner chose Pompey despite interest from Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Arsenal. Pompey director of youth operations, Paul Hart said: “We watched him an awful lot for QPR and were impressed. In the present climate, there are few decent young English goalkeepers, but for a young boy, Liam is mature and confident. We’ve beaten off Arsenal and Aston Villa to get him, which shows where we’re aiming to be. He was particularly attracted to the idea of coming to Pompey with Harry Redknapp, David James and goalkeeping coach David Coles. It appealed to him that he would have a great mentor in David James.”
Signed for QPR in August 2004 after declining an offer from Watford
Made his debut for the U14’s in September 2004, aged 12
In November 2005, at the age of 13, he made his debut for the U16’s
On 21st October 2006 he made his debut for the U18’s at the age of 14
He is also an R’s fan of course and was enrolled into the Supporters Club as an 18 week scan photograph courtesy of Mrs Daphne Biggs
Season Ticket holder at the age of four.
He made his debut for the Reserves on 19th December at the age of 16 when he came on as a sub
Signed for Portsmouth FC in February 2008.
Young players come and young players go but as with Dean Parrett, I was very disappointed when another outstanding Youth Team player left us. I first saw Liam O’Brien play for the R’s as a 14 year old in Germany in the summer of 2006. He made a number of excellent saves that afternoon for the U16’s and have watched him many times since. It became obviously apparent that there was great interest in him by seeing the number of Scouts that began milling around at the Training Ground.
Anyway, good luck and best wishes to Liam and I hope that he comes home one day.
Steve Russell
He is QPR and for me moved on for reasons that have been well documented. A sad loss to a club he never wanted to leave. The choice was made for him. I hope we learn from it and wish him well for the future. Lets hope he comes home one day. Good luck Liam.
All the very best to Liam wish him all the best for the future, Ironic that on the day we take on David Rouse as goalkeeping coach, Portsmouth announce that Liam has signed for them, He will allways be a rangers fan whoever he plays for and hope to see him at Loftus road soon.
Another top class youngster allowed to leave the club !
Good luck Liam you deserved to be coached and now at least you’ll get that.
All our love and best wishes
Kalitsa and family xxx
Liam you and you’re family can hold you’re head up anytime you come back home.
A crying shame that we have lost such a great hope for the hoops.
Good luck big man and enjoy the years ahead.
That No 1 shirt at QPR will belong to you one day.
Good luck Liam, a shame that it had to come to moving to another club to get a chance.I believe that you will learn so much from a very good manager and of course David James and your career can develop.It’s QPR’s loss, and like others have said I hope you return one day.
A great and well deserved opportunity Liam.
It’s just the begining.
Do your best, work hard, and good luck.
A long and successful career beckons, grasp it with both hands and more importantly, enjoy it.
well done liam mate,
weve bin best mates since yr7 and u ave always sed ur gna play football and here u r. u ave dun so wel 4 urself n ur a great keeper and a gr8 m8 hopefully u wil b bk dwn loftus rd playin 4 da rs wen were winnin the premiership in a couple of yrs. good luck n congratulations bst m8. xxx
Best Wishes for the future Liam, hope your career goes well.
Good luck Liam……..with a name like yours it won’t be long before a certain Mr Trapatonni gives you a call!!
Well played liam mate and good luck. You are a true sportsman and m8. Known you since little kids at sacred heart to now and you were always cumin top in everything you do. I reeally hope that one day youll be back at rangers so I can sit behind the goal and shout’GO ON LIAM’ lol(private joke)best wishes for your future and i know you will keep coming back to see us lot that you have grown up with!
Dan x