Paudie O'Connor
{{Short description|Irish footballer (born 1997)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Paudie O'Connor
| image = Paudie O'Connor 2021-07-08 1.jpg
| caption = O'Connor with Bradford City in 2021
| fullname = Padhraic John O'Connor{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/image/201920/general-news/efl-squad-numbering-06.09.2019.pdf|title=EFL Confirmed Squad Numbers 2018–19 |publisher=English Football League |accessdate=4 January 2020}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|7|14|df=y}}
| birth_place = Limerick, Ireland
| height = 1.91 m{{soccerway|paudie-oconnor/383627|accessdate=10 March 2020}}
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Reading
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Breska Rovers
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Regional United
| youthyears3 = 2014–2015
| youthclubs3 = Limerick
| years1 = 2015–2017
| clubs1 = Limerick
| caps1 = 40
| goals1 = 3
| years2 = 2017–2019
| clubs2 = Leeds United
| caps2 = 4
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2018–2019
| clubs3 = → Blackpool (loan)
| caps3 = 10
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2019
| clubs4 = → Bradford City (loan)
| caps4 = 9
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2019–2022
| clubs5 = Bradford City
| caps5 = 106
| goals5 = 7
| years6 = 2022–2025
| clubs6 = Lincoln City
| caps6 = 121
| goals6 = 6
| years7 = 2025–
| clubs7 = Reading
| caps7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| club-update = 15:56, 3 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Padhraic John O'Connor (born 14 July 1997) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for {{English football updater|Reading}} club Reading.
Early life
O'Connor was born in Limerick.{{Cite news |url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united-league-ireland-key-debutant-oconnors-education-587373 |title=Leeds United: League of Ireland key to debutant O'Connor's education |date=9 April 2018 |work=Yorkshire Evening Post |access-date=28 March 2020 |language=en}}
Club career
=Limerick=
O'Connor made his professional debut on 7 March 2015, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–0 loss to Bohemians in the League of Ireland Premier Division. He went on to make 16 appearances in the 2015 season, scoring his first professional goal on 14 August against Cork City. Following Limerick's relegation to the First Division, O'Connor made 23 appearances in the 2016 League of Ireland First Division in 2016, scoring two goals in the title-winning season. He also featured in the 2016 League of Ireland Cup Final as his side lost 4–1 to St Patrick's Athletic.{{cite web | url=https://www.extratime.com/matches/detail/29421/2/ | title=EA Sports Cup Final Preview: Limerick - v - St. Patrick's Athletic }}
=Leeds United=
O'Connor had trials at Crystal Palace and Leicester City,{{cite news |last1=Finnin |first1=Adrian |title=Limerick native O'Connor signs three-year deal with Bradford |url=https://www.limerickpost.ie/2019/06/18/limerick-native-oconnor-signs-three-year-deal-with-bradford/ |access-date=27 January 2021 |work=Limerick Post |date=18 June 2019}} then another with Leeds United in March 2017, where he impressed then-coach Garry Monk enough to secure a {{frac|2|1|2}}-year contract for an undisclosed fee from Limerick.{{cite news |last1=McDonnell |first1=Daniel |title=Limerick teen O'Connor signs two-year deal with Leeds |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/limerick-teen-oconnor-signs-two-year-deal-with-leeds-35507975.html |access-date=27 January 2021 |work=Irish Independent |date=7 March 2017}} He initially joined the Under-23 team, but participated in the 2017–18 first team's preseason under new coach Thomas Christiansen, and was called up onto the bench for the EFL Cup match against Newport County on 22 August 2017.{{cite news|date=22 August 2017|accessdate=27 August 2017|newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post|title=Leeds United v Newport County: Wilks, Stokes and O'Connor in Cup squad|author=Phil Hay|url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-v-newport-county-wilks-stokes-and-o-connor-in-cup-squad-1-8714338}} O'Connor was named the Leeds Under 23s squad's captain for the 2017/18 season.
Due to an injury crisis in defence, on 3 April 2018, O'Connor was named by new manager Paul Heckingbottom in Leeds' first team for their travelling squad for Leeds EFL Championship game against Fulham at Craven Cottage although he was not named among the substitutes.{{cite web|author1=Adam Pope – BBC Radio Leeds|title=Paudie O'Connor, 20, is here with the squad. He was last involved as an unused sub v Newport in the League Cup in August|url=https://twitter.com/APOPEY/status/981221811739381760|website=Adam Pope – BBC Radio Leeds|date=3 April 2018}} His first team debut (and first booking) came as a central defender alongside Pontus Jansson as Leeds came back from 0–1 down to earn a home point against Sunderland, with O'Connor earning praise for his first senior game.{{cite news|date=8 April 2018|accessdate=8 April 2018|newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post|title=Leeds United: League of Ireland key to debutant O'Connor's education|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-league-of-ireland-key-to-debutant-o-connor-s-education-1-9104387|author=Phil Hay}}
On 16 April 2018, O'Connor was nominated as one of four players for Leeds United's Young Player of the Year award,{{Cite web|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/23277/cast-your-vote-for-the-player-of-the-year-awards|title=CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THE PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS|website=www.leedsunited.com|access-date=16 April 2018}} which was won by Bailey Peacock-Farrell.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/23339/player-of-the-year-2018-winners|title=PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS|website=www.leedsunited.com|date=5 May 2018|access-date=13 May 2018}}
On 29 June 2018, O'Connor signed a new two-year contract extension at Leeds, with the option of an additional year. After his signing the contract, director of football Victor Orta said of O'Connor, "he will be a key player for Leeds United for many years to come", and that the club intended to send him out on loan for regular games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/23476/paudie-o-connor-signs-new-contract|title=PAUDIE O'CONNOR SIGNS NEW CONTRACT|website=www.leedsunited.com|date=29 June 2018|access-date=29 June 2018}}
==Blackpool (loan)==
On 3 July 2018, O'Connor joined EFL League One side Blackpool on loan until 31 May 2019, in order to gain first team experience.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/23502/paudie-o-connor-joins-blackpool|title=PAUDIE O'CONNOR JOINS BLACKPOOL|date=3 July 2018|accessdate=6 July 2018|website=leedsunited.com}} He made his debut on 4 August in Blackpool's 0–0 draw against Wycombe Wanderers.{{cite web|date=4 August 2018|accessdate=4 August 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44989380|title=Wycombe 0 Blackpool 0}} On 4 September, O'Connor scored his first goal for Blackpool, deep into injury time in a 3–3 draw at Moss Rose against Macclesfield Town in the EFL Trophy.{{cite web|date=4 September 2018|accessdate=7 September 2018|publisher=blackpoolfc.co.uk|url=https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2018/september/report-macclesfield-town-3-blackpool-3/|title=Macclesfield 3 Blackpool 3}} Macclesfield emerged the victors after winning the resulting penalty shootout 5–3.
O'Connor scored his second goal of the season, on 31 October, in a 2–1 defeat to Premier League side Arsenal in the Carabao Cup at the Emirates Stadium. O'Connor was also sent off late in the same game for a tackle on Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.{{cite web|date=31 October 2018|accessdate=31 October 2018|website=Blackpool Gazette|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/arsenal-2-1-blackpool-paudie-o-connor-goal-proves-in-vain-as-battling-seasiders-exit-carabao-cup-with-narrow-defeat-1-9422721|title=Arsenal 2-1 Blackpool: Paudie O'Connor goal proves in vain as battling Seasiders exit Carabao Cup with narrow defeat}}
His final game for Blackpool before being recalled early by Leeds came on 5 January 2019 when he started in a 0-3 FA Cup defeat against Premier League side Arsenal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46707004|title = Willock double as Arsenal beat Blackpool|work = BBC Sport}} In total he played 17 games for Blackpool scoring 2 goals in all competitions.{{cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2019/january/city-complete-oconnor-signing/|title=CITY COMPLETE O'CONNOR SIGNING|website=www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk|date=8 January 2019}}
=Bradford City=
File:Paudie O'Connor August 2020 (cropped).jpg in 2020]]
On 8 January 2019, O'Connor signed for Bradford City on loan until the end of the 2018–19 season after cutting his loan deal with Blackpool short.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/17342195.bradford-city-oconnor-signs-on-loan-from-leeds/|title=UPDATED: Bradford City sign Leeds defender O'Connor on loan|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=8 January 2019 }} At Bradford O'Connor had limited game time{{cite web|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-defender-paudie-o-connor-falling-foul-of-loan-rule-at-bradford-city-1-9587361|title=Leeds United defender Paudie O'Connor falling foul of loan rule at Bradford City|website=www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk|date=11 February 2019}} due to Rule 54.4.1 of the EFL Rules and Regulations which states that, "A maximum of 5 players registered on a temporary loan transfer can be named in the players listed on a team sheet for any individual match played under the auspices of The League."{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/-more/governance/efl-rules--regulations/section-6---players/|title=EFL Regulations: Section 6 - Players|website=English Football League}}
However, after the appointment of Gary Bowyer as manager, O'Connor impressed in his short spell at Bradford playing nine games, becoming the captain for the remainder of the season under the new manager.{{cite web|url=https://en.onefootball.com/bradford-city-boss-admits-he-wants-to-keep-leeds-paudie-oconnor/|title=Bradford City boss admits he wants to keep Leeds' Paudie O'Connor|website=onefootball.com|date=29 May 2019}}
In June 2019 O'Connor returned to Bradford City on a three-year permanent contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48683774|title=Paudie O'Connor: Bradford City sign Leeds United defender|date=18 June 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}} He scored his first goal for Bradford when he scored in an EFL Trophy tie against Bolton Wanderers on 3 September 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49563427 |title=Leasing.com Trophy: 9,062 fans watch Bolton Wanderers' first home game since takeover |date=3 September 2019 |website=BBC |accessdate=4 September 2019}}
In May 2021 he won four awards at the Bradford City end-of-season awards, including Player of the Year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/19286777.paudie-oconnor-lee-novak-claim-well-established-city-awards/|title=Paudie O'Connor in four-trophy haul at City's Player of the Year awards|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=7 May 2021 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/news/2021/may/oconnor-in-four-trophy-poty-award-haul/|title=O'CONNOR IN FOUR-TROPHY POTY AWARD HAUL|website=www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk}} In May 2022 he was again voted Player of the Year, as well as Player's Player of the Year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/20123795.bradford-city-captain-oconnor-wins-big-club-awards/|title=Captain O'Connor the big winner at City dinner|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=9 May 2022 }} He was one of seven players offered a new contract by Bradford City at the end of the 2021–22 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/20138405.bradford-city-bid-farewell-six-seven-offered-new-deals/|title=Bantams says goodbye to six as seven including skipper offered new deals|website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus|date=13 May 2022 }}
=Lincoln City=
On 13 June 2022, it was announced he would join Lincoln City on a long-term contract following the expiration of his Bradford City contract.{{cite news|title=Imps secure O'Connor signing|url=https://www.weareimps.com/news/2022/june/imps-secure-oconnor-signing/|access-date=13 June 2022|publisher=Lincoln City F.C.|date=13 June 2022}} He made his Lincoln debut on the opening day of the season against Exeter City.{{cite news|title=Lincoln City player ratings as the Imps are held against newly promoted Exeter|url=https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/sport/football/lincoln-city-player-ratings-imps-7401693|access-date=30 July 2022|publisher=LincolnshireLive|date=30 July 2022}} His first goal came against Bristol City in the EFL Cup third round on 8 November 2022.{{cite news|title=Bristol City 1 Imps 3|url=https://www.weareimps.com/news/2022/november/bristol-city-imps/|access-date=9 November 2022|publisher=Lincoln City F.C.|date=9 November 2022}} He was awarded City's Player of the Season for an impressive debut season.{{cite web|title=Imps celebrate at End Of Season Awards|url=https://www.weareimps.com/news/2023/may/imps-celebrate-at-end-of-season-awards/|publisher=Lincoln City FC|access-date=8 May 2023}}
On 3 August 2023, he was appointed the new captain of Lincoln City.{{cite news|title=Paudie takes the armband|url=https://www.weareimps.com/news/2023/august/paudie-takes-the-armband/|access-date=3 August 2023|publisher=Lincoln City Official Site|date=3 August 2023}}
On 10 August 2024, O'Connor scored two headed goals to give Lincoln a 3–2 away win in their season opener at Burton Albion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cnvydy7873et|title=Burton Albion 2-3 Lincoln City|website=BBC Sport|date=10 August 2024|access-date=12 August 2024}} Following the end of the 2024–25 season O'Connor was offered a new contract from Lincoln City, despite interest from Derby County and Stoke City.{{cite news |title=2025–26 squad update|url=https://www.weareimps.com/news/202526-squad-update|access-date=13 May 2025 |work=Lincoln City |date=13 May 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Whelan |first=Ryan |date=2025-05-08 |title=Exclusive: Derby County And Stoke City Lead Interest In League One Captain |url=https://thedeck.news/football/exclusive-derby-county-and-stoke-city-lead-interest-in-league-one-captain/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=THE DECK |language=en-GB}}
=Reading=
On 17 June 2025, Reading announced the signing of O'Connor to a four-year contract, from 1 July 2025 once his Lincoln City contract has expired.{{cite web |title=Paudie O'Connor is a Royal |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2025/june/17/paudie-oconnor-signs/ |website=readingfc.co.uk |publisher=Reading F.C. |access-date=17 June 2025 |date=17 June 2025}}
Career statistics
{{updated|3 May 2025}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="3"|Limerick
|2015 |16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | |
| 2016
|24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!40 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 3 | |
| rowspan="3"|Leeds United
|2017–18{{soccerbase season|107311|2017|access-date=12 March 2020}} |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|107311|2018|access-date=12 March 2020}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| Blackpool (loan)
|10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy | 1 | 17 | 2 | |
| Bradford City (loan)
|League One |9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| rowspan="4"|Bradford City
|2019–20{{soccerbase season|107311|2019|access-date=12 March 2020}} |19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 3 | |
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|107311|2020|access-date=22 March 2022}}
|League Two |42 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 2 | |
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|107311|2021|access-date=22 March 2022}}
|League Two |45 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 49 | 3 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!106 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 120 | 8 | |
| rowspan="4"|Lincoln City
|2022–23{{soccerbase season|107311|2022|access-date=12 March 2020}} |League One |44 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 53 | 2 | |
| 2023–24{{soccerbase season|107311|2023|access-date=12 March 2020}}
|League One |38 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 43 | 2 | |
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|107311|2024|access-date=12 November 2024}}
|League One |39 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 45 | 4 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!121 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 141 | 8 | |
| Reading
|2025–26{{soccerbase season|107311|2025|access-date=12 March 2020}} |League One |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!290 | 16 | 11 | 1 | 19 | 2 | 16 | 2 | 336 | 21 |
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Limerick
Individual
- Bradford City Player of the Season: 2020–21,{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Harry |date=7 May 2021 |title=Paudie O'Connor in four-trophy haul at City's Player of the Year awards |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/19286777.paudie-oconnor-lee-novak-claim-well-established-city-awards/ |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |language=en}} 2021–22{{Cite web |last=Atkinson |first=Nathan |date=9 May 2022 |title=Captain O'Connor the big winner at City dinner |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportlatest/20123795.bradford-city-captain-oconnor-wins-big-club-awards/ |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |language=en}}
- PFAI Team of the Year: First Division 2016{{Cite web |last= |last2= |first2= |last3= |date=2016-10-18 |title=Cork City and Dundalk dominate PFAI Team of the Year |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30759889.html |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Irish Examiner |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{soccerbase}}
- {{soccerway}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|titlestyle=background: gold
|list1=
{{2016 PFAI League of Ireland First Division Team of the Year}}
{{Bradford City A.F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Lincoln City F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}
{{Reading F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:OConnor, Paudie}}
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Leeds United F.C. players
Category:Association footballers from County Limerick
Category:Limerick F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Blackpool F.C. players
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players