23 Facts About Stuart O'Keefe

Stuart Antony Alan O'Keefe was born on 4 March 1991 and is an English professional footballer who last played as a central midfielder for Isthmian League Premier Division club Chatham Town.

Stuart O'Keefe began his career with Ipswich Town, spending six years in the club's youth academy system, but was released as a teenager without making an appearance for the first team.

Stuart O'Keefe grew up in the village of Gislingham, Suffolk and attended Gislingham Primary School and later Hartismere School.

Stuart O'Keefe later commented on his release "It was disappointing to be released by Ipswich, especially since I had been there from such a young age, but I always kept believing in myself".

Stuart O'Keefe was offered a trial with Nottingham Forest, scoring during a friendly match for the club but O'Keefe again moved on after Forest stalled over offering him a contract as they were only willing to offer him a one-year youth deal.

Stuart O'Keefe attended a trial with Southend United in November 2007 at the age of 16, having been recommended to the club by a scout working for Manchester United, and was offered a two-year scholarship just days after arriving at the club.

On 18 August 2010, Stuart O'Keefe signed for Crystal Palace on an initial one-year contract after impressing manager George Burley in a trial match against West Ham United reserves, having been recommended to Burley by his assistant manager Dougie Freedman who had played alongside Stuart O'Keefe at Southend.

Later in the season, Stuart O'Keefe was part of the end of season run in due to injuries and finished the season with 19 appearances for the first team, which saw him offered a new three-year contract with Palace that would last until summer 2015.

On 27 November 2014, Stuart O'Keefe eventually secured a loan move away from Palace on the final day of the emergency loan window, joining struggling Championship club Blackpool on loan until 1 January 2015, along with Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Kevin Foley.

On his return to Selhurst Park, Stuart O'Keefe found himself under a new manager for the fourth time since August 2014, following the appointment of Alan Pardew.

On 28 January 2015, Stuart O'Keefe signed for Championship club Cardiff City, who beat off competition from Millwall, for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year contract, joining former Palace teammates Danny Gabbidon and Kagisho Dikgacoi at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Stuart O'Keefe finished the season having made 27 appearances for the club in all competitions, the most appearances he has made during a season to date and the first time in his career he made over 20 appearances in a single season.

Stuart O'Keefe made a total of 18 appearances during the loan spell, scoring four times.

At the start of the following season, Stuart O'Keefe was sent out on loan for the second successive season, joining Plymouth Argyle.

Stuart O'Keefe returned to Cardiff in January 2019, but was released later that year.

Stuart O'Keefe signed for League One club Gillingham on 11 June 2019.

Stuart O'Keefe scored his first goal for Gillingham when he scored in an EFL Trophy tie against Colchester United on 3 September 2019.

In September 2020 Stuart O'Keefe suffered a broken leg and ligament damage in an EFL Cup tie against Coventry City.

Stuart O'Keefe knocked months off of his return date following his broken leg, and after a few appearances off the bench, made his first start since the injury against Charlton Athletic in February 2021.

On 3 May 2023, manager Neil Harris confirmed that captain Stuart O'Keefe had played his last match for the club and would leave upon the expiration of his contract in the summer.

On 20 July 2023, following his departure from Gillingham, Stuart O'Keefe agreed to join National League side, Aldershot Town.

Stuart O'Keefe was named as the new club captain ahead of the new season.

On 7 June 2024, Stuart O'Keefe joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Chatham Town.