January Southampton signing making fast start for new club

Irish midfielder O'Brien-Whitmarsh was on the radar of Saints academy recruiters long before he signed on the dotted line. 

Southampton's academy underwent an overhaul last summer and new staff put forward the 18 year old among their first targets. 

They were not alone in that with the likes of Aston Villa, Leeds United and Everton also keen to add the midfielder to their academy. 

O'Brien-Whitmarsh's promise has been obvious with goals in both of his last two appearances for the under-21s side. 

"It's an unbelievable feeling, I love scoring goals so it was nice to get the monkey off the back," he told the Daily Echo. 

Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh has made five appearances for Saints under-21s (Image: Southampton FC)

"I haven’t been here too long but I have played a few games so it was nice to get off the mark.

"I had like a mini pre-season first, it didn’t last as long as it was supposed to but I needed a few weeks to get up to speed.

"I was ready to play quicker than I thought. I spent a few weeks training with the team but also doing a lot more by myself with the strength and conditioning."

That mini pre-season followed the youngster having around six weeks off at the conclusion of the League of Ireland season.

O'Brien-Whitmarsh was already a regular in midfield for Cork City before he signed at Saints to continue his development in January.

The youth international made 23 appearances last season for Cork but was unable to stave off relegation. 

Another @CorkCityFC goal for Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh! 💫 pic.twitter.com/JJSSN7fpTB

— Integral Sports Management (@integralsportsm) May 6, 2023

His side were beaten by AFC Waterford - the club of next Saints target Romeo Akachukwu - in the November playoff. 

"The League of Ireland is a lot more physical, there’s a lot more tackles," he explained. 

"Since I have been playing under-21s I don’t think I have been properly tackled. In Ireland, you’ve got 27 or 28 year old men hitting you.

"That is going to be a bit different but the ball moves so much quicker here, the game is a lot sharper and a lot more technical and I love that.

"This is also my first time living away from home but I am living in a house with Ollie Wright and settled in really well, he’s a lovely guy.

"I still have a bit more to go to get to the first team here but it closes the gap physically," O'Brien-Whitmarsh continued. 

"You know what it’s like to play against men, you know what it’s like to need three points and you know what it’s like to play in front of a crowd.

"Obviously, it wouldn’t be 30,000 but it’s a decent crowd - stepping back into academy football, it’s about improving technically and tactically.

Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh is targeting a senior team breakthrough (Image: Southampton FC)

"It will take time to be ready for a much higher level men’s game but I think I can do it - that is the reason I joined.

"There is a good pathway and they play good football which suits me, I have to be patient and get better but I will work hard to do that."

Although a move had been bubbling away under the surface, O'Brien-Whitmarsh insists his full focus was on performing for his former club.

"I know all that happens in the background but my agent is brilliant with all that and I just focus on playing football," he added.

"I let it go on in the background and I don’t want to hear about it. My focus last season was on trying to keep Cork City up." 

In O'Brien-Whitmarsh, Saints have picked up an intelligent, two-footed attacking midfielder with a hunger for scoring and creating. 

His early experience in men's football could stand him in good stead for making the step up - a step that few ever manage.

It was O'Brien-Whitmarsh's lightning-quick pace that surprised some observers following his first few appearances. 

Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh was playing for Republic of Ireland's under-15s four years ago (Image: Southampton FC)

That was a surprise to the player himself when those comments were relayed back to him. 

O'Brien-Whitmarsh quipped: "My older brother mocks me about it as he’s a bit quicker but I will take that as a compliment.

"I probably run with the ball quicker than I do without! That’s good to hear, though." 

O'Brien-Whitmarsh adds to the Irish among the ranks at Staplewood, with senior internationals Gavin Bazunu, Will Smallbone and Ryan Manning. 

Bazunu - who has been Ireland's number one - told the Daily Echo he would arrange to meet with O'Brien-Whitmarsh once he arrived. 

Has he done that? The youngster responded: "I haven’t spoke to him yet but it’s not his fault!

"We tried to organise it but the rate the first team are playing games they have barely been in.

"I haven’t seen him yet but he has tried to organise it and I am sure I will see him soon."