Joey O'Brien, 29, is an Irish footballer who plays as a full-back for Premier League side West Ham United.

O'Brien started his career at Bolton Wanderers in 2004, after being a part of their youth setup since 2002.

However, in 2004, O'Brien was loaned out to Sheffield United where he scored 2 goals in 15 games.

Upon returning to Bolton, O'Brien made his Premier League debut in May 2005 against Everton when coming on as a late substitute in place of Fernando Hierro.

He was given his first start in Bolton's colours in their away UEFA Cup 1st Round tie with PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv in September 2005.

O'Brien missed most of the 2006–07 season due to injury, however he made his return for Bolton and played most of the 2007–08 season in his natural midfield role, as opposed to the right-back position which he had been used two years previous.

In July 2011, he was handed a trial by West Ham United. He featured in pre-season friendlies against BSC Young Boys and F.C. Basel before being signed on 30 July on a free transfer, after penning a two-year contract.

O'Brien is yet to make an appearance this season.

After joining on a free transfer, any money raised by the sale of O'Brien will see West Ham make profit on the player.

Here, FLW's Jack Smillie selects FIVE Championship clubs that could benefit from O'Brien's services......

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE CLUBS!

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Hull City

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Hull are currently promotion favourites, and Steve Bruce's men are currently top of the Championship.

As Hull try to pull away at the top, and increase the distance between them and third place, they will need extensive cover, so an injury doesn't ruin the Tigers' season.

David Meyler has recently just sustained an injury, so Hull will need cover as they replace him.

Fulham

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Fulham are huge fans of home-grown talent, and as their defence is weak, O'Brien would be a suitable player to draft in.

While not too old, O'Brien has a good amount of experience, and would fit in with the Fulham dressing room well.

Furthermore, O'Brien would have fellow country-man Sean Kavanagh at Craven Cottage.

Cardiff City

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Cardiff City have only scored 17 goals in their 16 league games so far this season, although they sit in a comfortable seventh place.

As Cardiff push for promotion, they will surely need to score more goals, if they don't want to be left behind.

So far, Cardiff's defence has looked resolute, but O'Brien can also play in midfield; so he could provide excellent cover incase someone starts to jade towards the Christmas period.

Sheffield Wednesday

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Sheffield Wednesday loved Joey O'Brien so much, they had him twice. O'Brien went on-loan there for the 2004/05 season, and again in 2011.

The fans love him there, and its completely plausible that Wednesday would take him back for a third spell at Hillsborough, but this time on a permanent deal.

Wednesday currently sit in 9th position, with 24 points from 16 games. Re-signing O'Brien would, in my opinion, only strengthen their team.

Bolton Wanderers

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After joining Bolton at the age of 16, O'Brien will always have a special place for Bolton in his heart; after all, if it wasn't for them he may never have turned professional.

O'Brien stayed at Bolton until he was 25, before moving to West Ham United in 2011.

Surely Bolton would welcome O'Brien back, possibly so he could end his career there?

Furthermore, Bolton need O'Brien, after Neil Lennon's men sit in 23rd place with only eleven points.

Additionally, Bolton have conceded 22 goals and have only scored 10, so O'Brien's defensive and midfield abilities could prove to be useful as Bolton look to avoid the drop.