Tranmere Rovers have announced that they have made the loan deal for on loan defender Lee O‘Connor a permanent arrangement, with the former Celtic defender signing a two-and-a-half-year contract.
📝 #TRFC are delighted to announce the permanent signing of Lee O'Connor for an undisclosed fee!
Lee O'Connor is here to stay 😍#TRFC #SWA
— Tranmere Rovers FC (@TranmereRovers) January 25, 2022
O’Connor was with Tranmere for a second loan spell and was expected to be there for a year, now however with Celtic looking to reduce a bloated first team squad, it seems the former Manchester United defender has made the sensible decision to ensure he gets first team football in England, something that was looking a forlorn hope at Celtic.
‘Tranmere Rovers are delighted to announce the permanent signing of Lee O’Connor for an undisclosed fee. The 21 year old signs a contract until the summer of 2024 after spending all of last season and the best part of this season on loan from Celtic.
O’Connor has played a key role in the team’s recent run of impressive form and the versatile Irishman has now committed the next two-and-a-half years to Prenton Park.’
Young O’Connor arrived at Celtic with a good reputation and hopes of first team football, and left behind a seemingly frustrated Manchester United support who had high hopes for the defender they saw as one of their own likely to break through their ranks.
Unfortunately, as it did at United, first team football evaded O’Connor at Celtic and now he is looking to carry on his career with a club he knows well and one where he will get to play top team football.
“I’m delighted. It was something I’ve wanted to do for a while as I’ve loved my time here so far. I’ve really felt at home since my first day. Not only am I enjoying it personally but I think I’m developing really well and I just want to continue that.
“I feel like this is the best thing for my career and it was an easy decision. To play your best football you have to be happy and I’m happy. We’re on a good run now and it’s just about keeping it going, starting with a big game on Saturday.”
This transfer makes sense for all parties, there was simply no opportunities likely at Celtic for Lee O’Connor and the youngster will have desperately wanted to continue playing football every week.
For Celtic and Tranmere Rovers to find a suitable solution then was simply a common-sense approach, as Celtic look to reduce a swollen squad and Lee O’Connor looks to get his career back on track – and good luck to him.
Niall J
