Irish international O'Connor leaves Celtic for Tranmere

Republic of Ireland international Lee O'Connor has left Celtic to join English League 2 side Tranmere Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old spent all of last season and the majority of this campaign on loan at Rovers and has excelled.

He has now committed for next two-and-a-half years for Prenton Park and has set a target of progressing to League 1 as his new side currently sit second in the table.

O’Connor was with Manchester United as a teenager before moving to Celtic Park in September 2019.

The move did not go as planned as he failed to make a league appearance at the club.

The Waterford man made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland shortly after his switch from Celtic, was the Irish Under-21 Player of the Year for 2019 and continues to be part of that side.

Now, at 21, he has found form with Tranmere and said he followed his head and heart in permanently switching to the League 2 side.

O’Connor said: "I’m delighted. It was something I’ve wanted to do for a while as I’ve loved my time here so far.

"I’ve really felt at home since my first day. Not only am I enjoying it personally but I think I’m developing really well and I just want to continue that.

"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.

"We’re on a good run now and it’s just about keeping it going, starting with a big game on Saturday."

Tranmere boss Micky Mellon is delighted to secure the midfielder’s services and he said: "We’re really pleased to sign Lee permanently.

"It’s really important that we have our own players when possible and everyone understands that. We’re really appreciative of our loan players but we’d always like to have players of