A defender from Dublin who started his career in Scotland with Celtic FC, Darren O'Dea has spent the last few seasons on loan with English second-tier clubs, during which he has become a regular member of the Republic of Ireland squad, starting four UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers.

• Joined Celtic from Dublin side Home Farm FC as a teenager and made his senior debut for the Glasgow giants in September 2006; also appeared three times in the UEFA Champions League that season as Celtic reached the round of 16.

• Won the Scottish Premier League title in each of his first two seasons but increasingly struggled to hold down a first-team place; made his mark in 2008/09, however, by scoring the opening goal in Celtic's extra-time 2-0 win against Rangers FC in the Scottish League Cup final.

• Spent the first half of the 2009/10 season on loan at Reading FC, during which he made his international debut in a September friendly against South Africa.

• Started both UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the away fixtures against Russia and Andorra, conceding just one goal in the four matches.

• Spent the 2010/11 season on loan at Ipswich Town FC and returned briefly to Celtic before being farmed out again, to Leeds United AFC.