New signing Paudie O’Connor explained the reasons why he chose to sign for Reading Football Club this summer.
The 27-year-old centre-back opted to leave Lincoln City at the expiration of his contract and had plenty of options on the table, but decided to sign for Noel Hunt’s team.
The former Lincoln captain had a whole host of League One clubs interested in signing him, but O’Connor spoke about the attractiveness of the project at Reading.
Speaking to Royals TV, he said: “It’s really exciting to be here, it’s been materialising over the past couple of weeks.
“I’ve been speaking to people at the club and I really like the sound of where they plan to go over the next couple of years so that’s why I’m here.
“Towards the end of last season seeing how well the club did in the situation they were in. I spoke to Noel (Hunt) and a couple of people here once the season had finished and they explained with the new ownership and the plans they have going forward and how I fit into that. Hopefully we can have a successful season.
“He (Noel Hunt) said it’s an exciting place to be, we’re here at the training ground which is state of the art, the club is well set up to have a really successful time.
“I’m 27 now so it’s a big contract for me and I thought that from a football perspective it’s a really good move and hopefully we can be challenging at the top end of the league.”
O’Connor also explained his playing style and how he’s been able to grow as a player due to having leadership roles at his previous clubs.
He continued: “(I’m a) Committed defender, I put my body on the line. I’ve had that leadership role for the past couple of years at a few clubs I’ve been at so I like to think I lead by example and can be a threat in both boxes.
“It’s a young group here with a couple of older heads so it will be up to us to show the way and lead from the front.”
