Ex-Cork City defender O'Connell signs for Walsall on loan from Celtic

Celtic and Republic of Ireland under-21 internationalist Eoghan O'Connell has signed for Walsall on loan until the end of the 2016/17 season.

The defender, who spent the first half of the 2016 League of Ireland season on loan at Cork City, has found gametime limited at Parkhead in recent months.

Cork-born O'Connell was recalled early from his hometown due to injury but the former Avondale United man made a strong impression on new Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

The 21-year-old appeared three times in the Champions League, including a substitute appearance in the group stages against Barcelona, but has played just four time domestically.

And he's hoping that improved gametime in England's League One will help him develop and force his way back into the manager's plans after the summer.

“I’m really looking forward to getting started,” O’Connell told the Saddlers' official website.

“I heard about the interest last week and it took perhaps a little longer to get done than we would have hoped.

“I spoke to the manager and he was really keen for me to come down, and as soon as I’d spoken to him, I was really excited to come here and be a part of it.

“Coming through at Celtic, we were always taught to play it out from the back and I like winning games – I don’t like losing.

“I played a few games for Celtic at the start of the year but I’ve not played as much recently and I wanted to get out and play.

“This opportunity came up and I’m really excited about it. I’m looking forward to working with the gaffer and I’ll try my best for Walsall.”

O'Connell will step into the shoes of fellow under-21 international Kevin Toner, who spent the first half of the season on loan from Aston Villa before returning to his parent club.

Saddlers boss Jon Whitney added: "Eoghan is a target we’ve been tracking for a few weeks now and we’ve been trying to get the deal done.

"He’s highly sought after and we’ve had to fight off some competition from clubs in England and the Scottish Premier League.

"He wants to test himself south of the border so we’re delighted to get this one over the line.

"He’s an aggressive defender but he’s also very good on the ball. Technically he’s a player who’s playing beyond his years and he’s very well thought of at Celtic.

"He’s played in the Champions League and Brendan spoke highly of him so he’ll be a really good addition to the group and from our profiling and referencing he seems to have a very good character as well which is important.

"It’s an area we felt needed strengthening because it’s clear that we’re short of bodies at the back. The lads have done well back there but we felt we needed to get another one in going into the second half of the season.

"Its up to him now to show us what he’s about and force his way into the team."