Cork City's teen defender Donal O'Connor joining Brentford's Irish legion for €170,000

HEADING TO BRENTFORD: Cork City defender Donal O’Connor will be joining the Irish legion at Brentford after the club managed by Keith Andrews brokered an upfront fee of €170,000 for the teen. Pic: Eddie O'Hare.

Cork City defender Donal O’Connor will be joining the Irish legion at Brentford after the club managed by Keith Andrews brokered an upfront fee of €170,000 for the teen.

The 18-year-old centre-back only made his first-team debut in May but commanding displays over his eight appearances attracted a flock of suitors.

The Bees soon jumped to the front of the queue and the player is currently at the club undergoing his medical to finalise his move.

O’Connor, who began with Avondale United, wasn’t in City’s squad for Friday’s win at Finn Harps that kept them 17 points clear at the summit with 11 matches left. They welcome Athlone Town to Turner’s Cross at 5pm today.

The strapping 6’1” defender only six weeks ago signed a contract extension until 2029, ensuring his employers retained leverage in negotiations with the English Premier League outfit.

“Now that he has finished school, this is an opportunity for him to come in with us on a full-time basis and we are really looking forward to seeing more of him,” said first-team manager Barry Robson after the youngster had completed his Leaving Cert.

“He still has a lot to learn, but he is a player with a lot of potential and we are really pleased that he has committed to the club.”

O’Connor joins a club with a huge Irish presence. As well as supremo Andrews, Damien Duff recently joined the staff, which also includes Stephen Rice and Kevin O’Connor.

His fellow Leesider Caoimhín Kelleher arrived 13 months ago from Liverpool as first-choice goalkeeper, while another compatriot, Nathan Collins, is club captain.

Should O’Connor progress from the club’s B squad into the first-team, City will earn additional income of €200,000. Further increments will be paid for international honours and a significant slice of any future transfer fee.