San Jose, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes announced today the team has acquired midfielder Ronnie O'Brien from Toronto FC in exchange for a first round draft pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft and allocation money.
"Ronnie O'Brien adds a proven offensive threat to our team," stated John Doyle General Manager of Soccer Operations of the San Jose Earthquakes. "He has a great engine with a mind to go forward. His attacking mentality will keep opposing defenses honest and create a lot of opportunities for us."
During his six years playing in MLS, O'Brien has played 114 regular season games and seven post season games. He has scored 12 goals and recorded 39 assists. For his efforts, he has participated in the MLS All-Star game four times and been named to the MLS Best XI team twice. O'Brien also has international experience playing for the Ireland U-18, U-19 and U-21 National Teams, winning the European Championship with the U-18 side.
Last season in 2007 O'Brien started 13 games for Toronto FC making his appearance on May 12 against Chicago and taking part in team's first ever victory. He started the 2007 MLS All-Star that faced Celtic in Colorado playing 80 minutes before being subbed off L.A. Galaxy legend Cobi Jones.
The native of Bray, Ireland made the all-star team three consecutive seasons from 2004-2006, while earning MLS Best XI honors in 2004 and 2005. His best year came in 2005 when he netted six goals and had 12 assists for Dallas. He was the only player in MLS to reach double figures in assists all three of those seasons, finishing second in the league in assists all three years.
He signed with Dallas midway through the 2002 seasons and played 11 games, scoring two goals and recording two assists to help them reach the playoffs that season. His 2003 season was wiped out after breaking his tibia just three games into the season. He returned to play the final three matches of the year. He scored one goal that season.
O'Brien played in Europe from 1999-2002. He spent the 2001-02 season with Dundee United in Scotland, playing in 13 matches and scoring one goal. In 1999 he played for Juventus in preseason games and one InterToto match, entering in the 77th minute of Juventus' 5-1 in over Russian club Rostselmaschl on April. He trained with players like Zinedine Zidane, Alessandro Del Piero and Edgar Davids. He was then loaned to to Lugano in Switzerland for six months, Crotone in Italy's Serie C for six months, and Lecco also in Italy's Serie C.
O'Brien began his professional career at the age of 18 with Middlesbrough in the English Premier League, coming from Ireland , where he played for Wolfe Tone, Wayside Celtic, St. Joseph 's Boys, and Bray Wanderers. He spent two years with Middlesbrough before signing a five-year contract with Juventus of the Italian Serie A.
The San Jose Earthquakes are a Major League Soccer expansion franchise and will begin playing in April of 2008. Season tickets for the 2008 Earthquakes season are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (408) 556-7700. Individual tickets are also on sale and can be purchased by calling 1-800-225-2277 or online at sjearthquakes.com.
