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.[9] 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.[10]
On 16 April 2018, O'Connor was nominated as one of four players for Leeds United's Young Player of the Year award,[11] which was won by Bailey Peacock-Farrell.[12]
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.[13]
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.[14] He made his debut on 4 August in Blackpool's 0–0 draw against Wycombe Wanderers.[15] 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.[16] Macclesfield emerged the victors after winning the resulting penalty shootout 5–3.
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.[18] In total he played 17 games for Blackpool scoring 2 goals in all competitions.[19]
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.[19][20] At Bradford O'Connor had limited game time[21] 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."[22]
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.[23]
In June 2019 O'Connor returned to Bradford City on a three-year permanent contract.[24] He scored his first goal for Bradford when he scored in an EFL Trophy tie against Bolton Wanderers on 3 September 2019.[25]
In May 2021 he won four awards at the Bradford City end-of-season awards, including Player of the Year.[26][27] In May 2022 he was again voted Player of the Year, as well as Player's Player of the Year.[28] He was one of seven players offered a new contract by Bradford City at the end of the 2021–22 season.[29]
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.[30] He made his Lincoln debut on the opening day of the season against Exeter City.[31] His first goal came against Bristol City in the EFL Cup third round on 8 November 2022.[32] He was awarded City's Player of the Season for an impressive debut season.[33]
On 3 August 2023, he was appointed the new captain of Lincoln City.[34]
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.[35]
Career statistics
As of 11 January 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
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