Daniel O'Shaughnessy

Daniel Michael O'Shaughnessy (born 14 September 1994) is a Finnish professional footballer who currently plays for Cheltenham Town as a defender. He began his career in the youth systems at Honka, HJK and Metz and has represented Finland at international level.

Youth years

A central defender, O'Shaughnessy began his career in Finland alongside his brother Patrick at Honka and was part of the youth team which made an impressive showing at the 2008 Nike Premier Cup. Both brothers joined Veikkausliiga side HJK in early 2009. O'Shaughnessy broke into the club's reserve team the following year, making 23 appearances and scoring two goals during the 2011 Kakkonen season, missing out on promotion to the Ykkönen after a playoff semi-final defeat to BK-46. After trials at Premier League sides Liverpool, Manchester United, Sunderland and Scottish Premier League side Celtic, O'Shaughnessy moved to French Ligue 2 side Metz on a two-and-a-half-year deal in early January 2012. He made 40 appearances and scored one goal for the club's reserve team, helping the side to the 2013–14 Championnat de France amateur 2 Group C title. O'Shaughnessy departed Metz at the end of the 2013–14 season, having failed to receive a call into the first team squad.

Brentford

O'Shaughnessy joined Championship side Brentford on trial in July 2014, making a 30-minute cameo in a 4–0 pre-season friendly defeat to Osasuna on 29 July. On 1 August, it was announced that O'Shaughnessy had signed a two-year professional contract. He remained an unused substitute during Brentford's two League Cup ties in August 2014, but instead spent the campaign in the Development Squad, making 23 appearances and scoring one goal. O'Shaughnessy began the 2015–16 season in the Development Squad, making 13 appearances and scoring one goal before leaving on loan for the rest of the season in late January 2016. He was released at the end of the 2015–16 season, having failed to make a first team appearance during two seasons at Griffin Park.

Braintree Town (loan)

On 22 September 2015, O'Shaughnessy joined National League side Braintree Town on a one-month loan. His only appearance for the club came later that day as a half time substitute for Sam Habergham during a 2–1 win over Woking.

Midtjylland (loan)

On 28 January 2016, O'Shaughnessy joined Danish Superliga side Midtjylland on loan for the rest of the 2015–16 season. He won his maiden first team call-up for a league match versus Copenhagen on 3 March and remained an unused substitute during the 1–0 defeat. After four further substitute appearances, O'Shaughnessy made his debut in the final match of the season versus Nordsjælland, replacing Kian Hansen after 59 minutes of the 4–1 victory.

Cheltenham Town

on 12 July 2016, O'Shaughnessy joined League Two side Cheltenham Town after impressing whilst on trial. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw at Mansfield Town with a spectacular 30-yard screamer into the top corner.

O'Shaughnessy represented Finland at all age-groups from U15 up to U21 level. He won his maiden call into the senior side for a friendly versus Estonia on 9 June 2015, but remained an unused substitute during the 2–0 defeat. O'Shaughnessy made his full international debut as a late substitute for Ville Jalasto in a 3–0 friendly defeat to Sweden in Abu Dhabi on 10 January 2016. He made his first start three days later versus Iceland, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1–0 defeat.

O'Shaughnessy was born in Riihimäki, Finland, to an Irish father (from Galway) and a Finnish mother and holds dual Finnish-Irish citizenship. O'Shaughnessy's older brother Patrick is also a professional footballer.

As a player

Metz B

• Championnat de France amateur 2 Group C: 2013–14