Centre-back Andy O’Brien has been released from his contract at Leeds, enabling a move to Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps. The 33 year old Republic of Ireland international has had a torrid time at Leeds. Impressing initially, O’Brien’s form suffered as Leeds’ promotion hopes collapsed in spring 2011, before personal problems led to him telling then manager Simon Grayson he didn’t want to play for Leeds again.

Leeds will not receive a fee for O’Brien, who agreed to tear up his contract to enable him to move to Whitecaps, but as he signed from then Premier League Bolton it isn’t unrealistic to guess the rumours that he was one of Leeds’ best paid players was true, and freeing him from the books will help Neil Warnock with his grueling job of building a promotion winning team with no backing whatsoever from his board.

O’Brien will link up at Wihtecaps with former Watford defender Jay DeMerit. O’Brien will finally get a fresh start in Vancouver with his manager talking him up:

He has spent several years in the English Premier League and with some of England’s best-known clubs. Andy also had the privilege of being at a World Cup.

We’re delighted to add a defender of Andy’s experience to our squad.