Done deal: Defender agrees to join Leeds from top-flight club
By Harvey Byrne
Leeds have signed defender Paudie O’Connor from Irish top-flight side Limerick, it was announced on Thursday.
The 19-year-old centre-back has long been linked with the Yorkshire giants and was involved in the Under-23s squad against Crystal Palace on Monday afternoon.
He was also at Elland Road for Saturday afternoon’s 0-0 draw with QPR where he stated on his personal Twitter account that he was impressed by the club’s supporters.
Now, Limerick have announced on Thursday afternoon via their club’s official Twitter account that O’Connor has left the club for Leeds after a trial period at the club.
O’Connor spent three years with Limerick between 2014 and 2017, making 39 senior appearances for the Irish First Division club.
It is expected that he will now stay with Jason Blunt in the Under-23s with Garry Monk currently blessed with Pontus Jansson, Kyle Bartley and Liam Cooper in the first team.
The Yorkshire giants do however have a good record of bringing through young talent and integrating them into their senior side.
Current Leeds regulars Ronaldo Vieira, Charlie Taylor and Kalvin Phillips have all stepped up from the academy, while the likes of James Milner, Jonathan Woodgate and Fabian Delph have done so in the past.
Football Insider verdict:
It is felt that Leeds will be the perfect club to help O’Connor reach his potential due to the aforementioned names. Meanwhile, those at the club will also be keen for the young defender to shine as they look to secure a name for the back line for years to come. O’Connor was thought of very highly in Ireland and the Yorkshire giants have clearly done their homework on him themselves with the necessary scouting and trial at the club. This could prove to be a very smart signing by Leeds in the years to come and fans will be hoping to see the defender out on the Elland Road pitch before too long.
In other Leeds transfer news, the writing is on the wall for this club 25-year-old if Monk pushes through deal for this Premier League ace.
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