Former Cork City defender Eoghan O'Connell leaves Celtic for Bury
Credit: Matt Kirkham (ETPhotos)
Former Cork City defender Eoghan O'Connell has signed for upwardly mobile English League One side Bury after agreeing to leave Celtic.
The Cork native, brother of former City striker Andy O'Connell, has signed a three-year deal with the Shakers after his four-year stint at the Scottish champions came to an end.
O'Connell made seven appearances for Celtic last season, including in Champions League games against Be'er Sheva and Barcelona, before joining Walsall on loan in January.
The 21-year-old made 17 appearances for the Black Country side in League One, scoring once, before returning to Parkhead at the end of the English season.
O'Connell had previously spent time on loan at Oldham Athletic before spending the first two months of the 2016 season at Turner's Cross, playing seven times and scoring once.
“I'm thrilled that we were able to secure Eoghan's signature as he's a highly sought after young player,” said Bury manager Lee Clark.
"I obviously know a lot about Eoghan from my time up in Scotland. He has fantastic potential and is a player who has played Champions League football at such a young age in a strong Celtic side.
'I'm delighted about the backing from the Chairman as I know that five or six other clubs approached Eoghan.
“Eoghan will strengthen the squad and we hope that we can help him further his international career.”
O'Connell added: “I have come to the stage in my career where I just want to play football all the time.
“The manager made it clear that he had a big interest in me and wanted me to come to the Club. It was all done quite quickly, and I'm delighted to be here. I'm just looking forward to getting started now.
“I chose to come to England as I was on loan with Walsall and I really enjoyed playing. As I said earlier, I am at an age where I want to be playing all of the time and I enjoyed my time in the English League.
“I know that Lee wanted me to go to Kilmarnock whilst he was managing there, but it just never happened at that time.”
