Gary Patrick Breen (born 12 December 1973) is a former footballer who made more than 500 appearances in the Football League and Premier League. A centre back, played for numerous clubs over a 20-year career, including more than 100 appearances each for Coventry City and Sunderland. Born in England, he won 63 caps for the Republic of Ireland. He played in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring in Ireland's 3–0 victory over Saudi Arabia. Club career Breen was born in Hendon, London, and began his professional career as a youth player at Charlton Athletic, but never made a first-team appearance for the club. Instead, he moved to Maidstone United where he played his first league game at age 17. After one full season with the club he joined Gillingham where he eventually became a first-team regular, prompting a £70,000 bid from Peterborough United. He only had one full season at Peterborough United, but did well enough to draw attention from First Division Birmingham City, who paid £250,000 for him in February 1996. Less than 12 months after arriving at Birmingham, he was on the move again, to Premier League Coventry City in a £2.5 million deal. He played for five full seasons at Highfield Road, four in the top flight. Following the 2002 World Cup, Breen was signed on a free transfer by West Ham United by manager Glenn Roeder, but left the club after relegation from the top flight and only 18 appearances in all competitions. He was signed on a free transfer by his old Ireland manager Mick McCarthy for Sunderland. Breen was subsequently signed by Wolverhampton Wanderers in a two-year deal, reuniting him again with McCarthy. He played almost all the club's games as they reached the play-offs in his first season at Molineux, scoring once, against Luton Town. He was made Wolves' club captain for the 2007–08 season, but ended up missing several months through injury. He was involved in an after-match confrontation with his manager in March 2008. In December 2008, he joined Barnet as a player-coach. In July 2009 Breen signed a new contract to become player/assistant manager at the club. On the Goals on Sunday programme on 6 September 2009, Breen revealed that he had agreed to move to Inter Milan after the 2002 World Cup, but failed a medical. Breen had also been linked with a move to Barcelona. Breen left Barnet