Paudie O'Connor leaves Limerick for Leeds United

Leeds United have secured the services of teenager Paudie O’Connor on a two-and-a-half year deal after the centre-half left Limerick at the end of the 2016 season.

 

The Limerick native will link up with Irish youth internationals Eoghan Stokes, Conor Shaughnessy, and Callum Nicell in Yorkshire, where he will initially join up with the under-23 squad were defeated lost 3-1 to Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght last month.

 

O'Connor tweeted the news, announcing that he “would like to thank everybody at Limerick for the last 3 and a half years. [It has] been an amazing time there and always loved representing the jersey.”

 

The towering defender also thanked manager Martin Russell: “I’m very grateful to Martin and the club for the opportunity to play senior football. Wishing ye all the best of luck for the season ahead.”

 

 



O’Connor, who doesn’t turn 20 until July, played 40 League games for the Blues, netting three times. His performances in 2016 saw him voted Limerick FC Young Player of the Year for a second consecutive season as well as earn him a place in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year.

 

Having played schoolboy football in Limerick with Kilcornan, Breska Rovers and Regional United, O’Connor signed with Limerick in July 2013 and was an integral part of their under 19 side, before being handed his League of Ireland bow in March 2015.

 

He made his debut in March 2015 against Bohemians, and, despite the Shannonsiders' roller-coaster year ending in relegation, he earned plenty of plaudits for his displays, particularly when he netted the winning goal against Cork City at Turners Cross in August.

 



O'Connor was a regular feature of the Limerick side which secured the First Division title with ease last season, starting 23 of Limerick's 28 games and scoring twice.

 

His move to Elland Road comes after plenty of speculation during the winter months, where O’Connor had spent much of the off-season working towards landing a deal in England.

It has yet to be confirmed if Leeds United have paid compensation to the players former clubs as part of the FIFA Compensation Payments.  

    About Tom Clancy

    Introduced to the League of Ireland in 2005, Tom has seen Limerick play at four different grounds down the years. He began writing for Extratime in late 2013 and was delighted to report on the … View Full Profile