Cork City have continued their rebuilding work for 2019 with Dáire O’Connor moving from UCD to Turner’s Cross on a two-year contract.
The 21-year-old midfielder spent the last four seasons with the Students winning the Division in his last campaign.
He said: "I’m over the moon to come to such a big club. It has been in the works the last couple of days, so I’m delighted to finally put on the jersey and get the deal over the line.
"I’d a brilliant season with UCD last year winning the First Division, Collingwood Cup and Colleges League. John invited me down and showed me the set-up here.
"The opportunity to play in front of 4,000 to 5,000 people week-in, week-out, to be up there challenging for the league.
"I was in the Aviva watching the FAI Cup final thinking how I’d love to be out there playing.
"Two weeks later I have the opportunity going forward this season.
"On a personal note I want to break into the team, I know it’s not going to be straight forward. It will be a lot of hard work in pre-season but once I get my chance I want to take it and nail down that jersey.
"Hopefully I’ll bring a lot to the team attacking wise, a bit of excitement in the final third. That is what I pride my game on."
Manager John Caulfield is pleased with the move after adding Dan Casey and Garry Comerford already so far.
"Dáire O’Connor has very strong Cork links. From my point of view he is an attacking player, he can play on the wing and can play in the number 10 position. He has come up this season by winning the league with UCD.
"They won the league by quiet a long way and he got 30 games under his belt. He has been in the UCD set up for the last number of year.
"He is a very exciting player and a real opportunity for him here. I’m sure our supporters are looking forward to seeing how he kicks on."
