O'Connor Back For Good!

Last updated : 13 December 2010 By Alastair Limb (tykesmad)

The Reds have confirmed that twice on-loan striker Garry O'Connor will return to the club PERMANENTLY on January 1st!

The news broke about O'Connor hours before the Reds' 1-0 win over South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United on Saturday, which was the final game he will play until he officially makes the move to Oakwell on New Year's Day.

He has signed a deal with the Reds until the end of the 2010/2011 season.

In nine appearances for the Reds, the Scot netted three goals, against Leeds United, Preston and Ipswich. All three games resulting in victories for Barnsley.

He will move from Premier League side Birmingham City and their boss Alex McLeish spoke about O'Connor to their official website:

"We wish O'Connor well and it's great for him that he has signed a deal with Barnsley.

"He's a good player and it's unfortunate that the Blues supporters never got chance to see the very best of him during his time here, although they definitely saw flashes of it with some of the performances he put in and important goals he scored, particularly in the promotion season.

"The double hip injury he sustained was a real blow for him and came just as it looked like his Birmingham City career was on an upward curve and, as everyone knows, he had to have two operations to solve the problems.

"But he's a great character and a fighter and he came back from that and I'm sure everyone at Blues will join me in wishing him all the very best for the future.

"We just felt, and I'm sure he did too, that it was time to go in a different direction. That happens in football and as I say I wish him well."