Ireland Under-21 ace Jake O’Brien reckons his loan move to Belgium can fast-track him into Patrick Vieira’s first-team plans at Crystal Palace.
The former Cork City man has joined RWD Molenbeek in the Belgian second tier and has already made a positive impression.
He scored a last-minute equaliser earlier this month against Anderlecht’s second team in just his second appearance for RWDM.
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The defender opted for a move to the continent after talks during the summer with Palace boss Vieira.
“I had a lot of discussions throughout the week and to be fair Palace weren’t pushing, it was up to me to do whatever I wanted to do,” said the 21-year-old.
“We looked at the style of football and what would be the fastest way of progressing into the first-team at Palace and this was the best option.
“I love it out there. Obviously there is a language barrier but it is alright. It is easy enough out there.
“All the lads out there are all sound. You meet up with the lads after training. Keeping busy is the main thing out there really.”
O’Brien is currently in Dublin ahead of Ireland’s bid for a historic first ever qualification for the Under-21 European Championships.
He comes in with four first team appearances to his name, including a start in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home to KRC Genk II.
“At the start it was going to be, stay in England. But then it (the move to Belgium) came about that this was there for the taking,” explained the Cork native.
“I had a few discussions with people at the club and what’s good and bad about it. Then I went out to have a look at it, see their ambitions and went with it then.
“The style of football out there is similar enough to the way Palace play. A possession style of football.
“I went out there to have a look at the club, spoke with the manager about their ambitions for promotion and thought I could go out there, get promoted and it might open up a lot of opportunities, and I haven’t looked back.
“I think this loan will be big for me and maybe going back in January or the next pre-season and showing what is possible and try to stake my place for that team.”
O’Brien isn’t the first Irishman to head to Belgium in recent times.
Darron Gibson and John O’Shea both spent some time there on-loan, while Josh Cullen played at Anderlecht before moving during the summer with Vincent Kompany to Burnley.
“It is just about being open minded and not just staying in the leagues in England,” said O’Brien.
“Different styles of football, you can learn from different things, being in different cultures and meeting different people. I’m liking it out there.”
Looking ahead to the Israel play-offs, which kick off in Tallaght Stadium on Friday, he said: “I’m confident.
“We have a good few new players in but everyone will be going for places and it’s a strong squad.
“We have shown in the last few games what we’re about and how we play, and we would be confident in the Israel games.”
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