Leeds United defender Paudie O’Connor has been on two loan spells away from Elland Road this season.
Leeds loaned out O’Connor to Blackpool, before relocating him at Bradford City in January.
And O’Connor says that his decision to go out and get experience in League One was one which was encouraged by former Leeds boss Heckingbottom.
“At the back end of last year, I spoke with Paul Heckingbottom, who was manager then, and he advised me that a full season at League One level would do me the world of good,” he said.
“Even though there was a manager change over the off-season that didn’t really alter my goal for this year.
“Blackpool was one of the first clubs to come calling and that’s how I ended up there.”
O’Connor played four league games for Leeds last term, when Heckingbottom was in charge, but his future at the club is somewhat uncertain.
The Irishman has only made 10 appearances this term, and he didn’t make a particularly big impact on loan at Blackpool.
Leeds will now be tracking the centre-back’s progress at Bradford carefully, as he looks to help the Bantams climb the table.
Bradford have started to pick up form, but they still need to collect wins over the second half of the season to ensure they move away from the relegation zone.
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