Notts County sign former Northern Ireland international midfielder Michael O'Connor
Notts County are delighted to announce the signing of 28-year-old midfielder Michael O'Connor on a two-year deal.O'Connor has turned down a new contract at Port Vale to become John Sheridan's sixth signing of a busy summer period for the Magpies.
The highly experienced Belfast born player comes with a wealth of league and international experience. He has made 267 league appearances, scoring 51 goals from midfield, and has won 11 caps for Northern Ireland's senior squad.
Starting his career in England at Crewe Alexandra as a trainee, he quickly made an impression at Gresty Road and went on to make 65 league appearances for the Railwaymen before moving on to Scunthorpe United for a £250,000 fee in 2009.
A regular in the starting XI at Championship level, he was part of the team that helped Scunthorpe survive relegation in 2009 and went on to make 97 league appearances for The Iron, scoring 12 goals in the process.
A spell at Rotherham United then followed in 2012, before he joined Port Vale making 70 appearances in two seasons at Vale Park.
O'Connor will be reunited with former Port Vale team mates Richard Duffy and Carl Dickinson, and the acquisition of such experienced players at higher levels is bound to buoy the mood amongst the Magpies faithful and in the dressing room.
In his first interview since joining the club, O'Connor told Magpie Player HD he has high ambitions to reach in his time at Notts County.
He said, "With the signings we have made already we are going to have a go at going up into League One next year".
"I've signed a two year deal and in that time I don't just want to get the club into League One, I want to get them into the Championship".
"I think it's going to be exciting times".
The players will begin pre-season training tomorrow, stay tuned to nottscountyfc.co.uk and Magpie Player throughout the coming days for more reaction and build up to the new season.