‘Homesick’ James O’Brien has left City to return to Ireland.

The 19-year-old midfielder is going back to Dublin to sign for Eircom League leaders St Patrick’s Athletic.

O’Brien finalised the details of the move after returning from City’s tour of the south, where he played in all four games, scoring against Stambridge.

The chirpy teenager, signed by Stuart McCall last summer following his release from Birmingham, made 28 appearances last season and scored in both games with Cheltenham. He also notched the winning penalty in the dramatic shoot-out win over Notts County in the JP Trophy.

O’Brien initially joined on a short-term deal before penning an 18-month deal at the end of October. Despite having a year of that still to run, he was keen to get back to Ireland after failing to win a regular slot under Peter Taylor.

The City boss said: “He’s a really good lad but he’s a little bit homesick. This is a good opportunity for him.

“To be fair to James, he looked at the whole picture and maybe he wasn’t going to be a starter.”

O’Brien captained Ireland under-16s. He has also represented his country at under-17, 18 and 19 level during his time on the books at St Andrew’s.

But he had found himself down the midfield pecking order with City since losing his place following a nose operation in January.

Meanwhile, Taylor has laughed off the latest newspaper speculation claiming he will return to the England fold.

Fabio Capello is looking for an English coach to add to his staff and a national story reported the Bantams chief was on a six-man shortlist.

Taylor said: “I suppose that the link is because of my record with the under-21s. But I didn’t expect to read that.

“But it’s a nice surprise to be linked like that, whether it’s true or not.”