Cork City teenager Jake O'Brien signs for Crystal Palace on loan

Jake O'Brien playing against Shelbourne last September

Jake O'Brien playing against Shelbourne last September Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)

Cork City defender Jake O'Brien has signed for Premier League club Crystal Palace on loan until the end of the season. 

The defender will play for The Eagles’ Under 23 squad on a deal which includes the option to buy at the end of the season. 

“I’m delighted,” he told Crystal Palace’s official website, “It’s a big move for me given where I’m from, the club I’m from. I can’t wait to get started.

“I’ve been speaking to Shaun Derry [academy manager] a lot over the last two days at the training ground. The facilities are all new - it’s a big step up, so it will be great to use them.

“It’s very professional and I can’t wait for it all to get started.”

The 19-year-old is a graduate of the Rebel Army’s academy having played for their U17 and U19 teams. In 2020 he made nine league appearances for City and he also featured for the club in the FAI Cup.  

Cork City manager Colin Healy commented: “This is a great opportunity for Jake, and we wish him well. He came through schoolboy football in Cork, before progressing to our academy and then on to the first team last season, and it is a good pathway for players. He’s a very good player and a great young lad, and we hope that this opportunity works out for him and that he goes on to have a fantastic career.”

At Palace, he will be coached by Shaun Derry and former Shamrock Rovers midfielder Stephen Rice. 

    About Dylan O'Connell

    Dylan is a freelance journalist based in Cork. He joined Extratime in 2016 and he covers games all across Ireland. His bylines include The Echo, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, The 42, RTÉ Sport, and Irish … View Full Profile