Waterford man Lee O'Connor was among the late movers on transfer deadline day as he made a return to EFL League Two side Tranmere Rovers on loan.
The former Villa star spent last season on loan at Prenton Park, having found first team opportunities hard come by at Celtic. He joined the Glasgow giants following a successful youth stint at Manchester United.
The Hoops signed Croatian international Josip Juranovic during the summer. Anthony Ralston has also been ahead of O'Connor in the pecking order at right-back.
The 21-year-old has also spent time on loan at Partick Thistle since making the move to Parkhead.
O'Connor made 42 appearances for Tranmere last season, as the Super Whites made it to the EFL Trophy Final. They also finished 7th in the league.
✍️ #TRFC are delighted to welcome back Lee O'Connor on a season long loan from @CelticFC!
Good to have you back, Lee ?#TRFC #SWA
— Tranmere Rovers FC (@TranmereRovers) August 31, 2021
U-21 Duty
Ireland's most capped player at underage level, O'Connor is part of Jim Crawford's U-21 squad for European qualifiers against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Luxembourg this week. Both of those games will be played away from home.
Upon his return to Prenton Park, O'Connor will be greeted by a new manager in Micky Mellon. He replaced Keith Hill during the summer. Mellon is coming in for a second spell in charge having spent four years at the helm between 2016-2020.
? Lee O'Connor joins @TranmereRovers on a season-long loan.
Best of luck, Lee ? https://t.co/wz0DyM7nS9 pic.twitter.com/NPJH30owkD
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 31, 2021
Tranmere have had a slow start to the season, and are currently winless in four. They won their season opener 1-0 at home to Walsall, before two consecutive 0-0 draws with Port Vale and Swindon Town respectively. Mellon's men have since lost 1-0 to both Newport County and Scunthorpe United.
O'Connor joins his former Villa teammate Jayson Molumby on the move this week, as the 22-year-old Cappoquin man made the switch to West Bromwich Albion on loan with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the campaign.
