Lee O’Connor has told Tranmere’s website that it was an “easy decision” to leave Celtic on a permanent basis and join the League Two side. O’Connor has spent the last 18 months on loan at Tranmere.
A permanent deal was confirmed by Tranmere and Celtic on Tuesday. The 21-year-old has been a regular for Tranmere, clocking up 59 appearances over the last year and a half. It sees O’Connor leave, after joining in 2019.
Indeed, the defender failed to make a single senior appearance for the Hoops despite the hype around his arrival from Manchester United. O’Connor has penned a contract at Tranmere until the summer of 2024.
Speaking on his move to Tranmere from Celtic on a permanent basis, O’Connor says it was an “easy decision” to leave the Hoops and believes joining Tranmere is the best move for his career at this stage.
“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. It was something I’ve wanted to do for a while as I’ve loved my time here so far.”
O’Connor leaves Celtic: Best move for his career, beginning to stall
With six months remaining on his season-long loan at Tranmere, O’Connor was faced with a difficult decision on his future. He had entered the final 18 months of his contract at Celtic, and was far from breaking into the squad.
A move was needed and while it makes sense that it was an easy decision, perhaps O’Connor could have looked higher than the fourth tier of English football. Certainly, he is good enough to play at League One level.
Of course, he could be doing that next season – with Tranmere currently sitting in second place in League Two. Eventually, it is likely to be a good move for the ex-Celtic man – certainly, he needed to leave Parkhead.
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