O'Brien joins Crystal Palace on loan

Cork City FC can confirm that Jake O’Brien has joined Crystal Palace on loan until June, with the English side having the option to make the move permanent.

O’Brien, who recently signed his first professional contract with the club, joined City at Under 17 level in 2018, and broke into the first team last season, playing regularly in the second half of the campaign.

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.”

Declan Carey, Cork City Chairman, gave his thoughts on the news, saying: “We wish Jake the very best of luck at Crystal Palace. We have seen several players come through our academy and progress to our first team, as well as further afield. Jake’s progression underlines the excellent work being done by both local clubs at schoolboy level, as well as by our own academy coaches.”