O'Brien got in touch with Barnsleyfc.co.uk to pay tribute to the Reds supporters. "I just wanted to give my thanks to everyone who made me settle in," said Jim.
"Apart from Celtic, it's the longest period of time I've spent at a Club as a first team player. I've made a lot of friends there and a lot of them are for life, whether they're at the Club or just from the town. I honestly can't find a bad word for anyone connected with the Club.
"It's been a great experience - a real roller-coaster with ups and downs but it's been amazing."
The 26-year-old joined the Reds under Mark Robins' stewardship, ahead of the 2010/11 season, and a rocky start didn't deter the signing from Motherwell, whose commitment, work rate and passion was absolutely unquestionable in every game he played.
He went on to make 133 appearances in midfield and even right-back - the latter position one he adopted during the match he labelled as his best memory.
"That game at Huddersfield - I'll always remember it," added O'Brien. "It was massive. It was the end of something really special, considering the run we'd been on. The whole day was unbelievable and we were all on a high for the summer afterwards.
Thanks for the memories, Jim!
"That game at Huddersfield - I'll always remember it," added O'Brien. "It was massive. It was the end of something really special, considering the run we'd been on. The whole day was unbelievable and we were all on a high for the summer afterwards.
"Then we had a disappointing start to the season and to have a poor run after feeling so great was hard to take."
Reds fans will still get to see their former favourite for sure, with an away trip to face the Sky Blues on August 19th on the cards, not to mention because of some other brilliant news for the midfielder, "I’ll be around for sure. I’m going to be a Dad so I’ve got a missus to look after and a baby on the way. It feels a bit weird to be honest, being about the place but not being at Barnsley. I’ve met some amazing people and made friends for life, it’s been brilliant. I'll definitely miss Rimmo (Norman Rimmington). He'll be raging at me and I'm sure he'll have a few things to say to me! But it's people like him that made my time at Oakwell special."
Thanks for the memories, Jim!
