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Fullname: Darren O'Dea
aka: O'D
Height: 6.01
Weight: 13st
Born: 4 Feb 1987
Birthplace: Dublin
Position: Defender
Internationals: Ireland
International Caps: 1
Squad no.: 48

Biog

Dublin-born defender Darren O'Dea joined Celtic in 2003 after trials with Premiership sides Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool.

He rose through the Youth and Reserve side playing predominantly as a left back or left sided centre half. Along with a number of youth team players he was invited on the club’s pre-season tour in the USA at the start of 04/05 before returning to the Reserve squad.

He made his full first team debut in the League Cup game against St Mirren in September 2006 and finished the season as a first team player in his own right winning a new contract on better terms. He started the following season (2007/08) on the bench without ever looking like getting a start but with Gary Caldwell's injury, he came on against Inverness CT in the League, and as a sub against Copenhagen before making a full game against Dunfermiline. A regular for the FAI youth sides, he captained FAI U21's in September 2007.

Season 2008/09 saw Darren established as a first-team squad regular although mostly he has been on the bench. In March 2009 however he was in the starting line-up for the League Cup (CIS) final against Rangers. He scored the opening goal in extra-time - His first goal in two years - as the Celts went on to win 2-0.

In the summer of 2009 Darren was linked to a move away from Parkhead but the player remained keen to establish a starting berth under the regime of new Parkhead boss Tony Mowbray. The incoming manager made Darren Celtic captain for the final game of the Wembley Cup against Tottenham and the Irishman was the Man of the Match and duly lifted the trophy for The Hoops.

However as season 2009/10 got underway Darren was back on the bench. Mowbray however stressed that Darren did have a long-term future at Parkhead. and on 31st August the Dubliner signed a new three year contract which would keep him in Glasgow until 2012. At the same time Darren was loaned to Reading for the 2009-10 season.

Darren would win his first full international cap in Ireland'a 1-0 firendly win over South Africa in Limerick on September 8th 2010.

Previous Clubs

Celtic 01-08-2005 Trainee

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