KEVIN O’Connor says the lure of returning to Ireland was too hard to resist following his departure from Worcester City.
The midfielder has opted against a third season at St George’s Lane, where he was captain, in favour of signing for home-town club Bray Wanderers in the Airtricity League of Ireland.
He will officially join the Seagulls, whose season runs from March to October, on July 1 when the transfer window opens following the league’s two-week break.
O’Connor said: “When the season finished I went to work for my dad in Ireland but there were a few clubs interested. I trained with St Patrick’s Athletic and Bray, who were my local team.
“They wanted to sign me and they have also sorted me out with a job.
“It was an ideal situation because we (my family) had looked to go back to Ireland but I never thought it would happen this quickly.
“I have enjoyed my time at Worcester. I really enjoyed working with Carl (Heeley) and Matt (Gardiner) but moving back to Ireland and having a fresh start was very appealing to me.”
O’Connor was one of the key players who helped turn City from relegation strugglers into play-off contenders during his two-year stay.
The club finished 16th in Blue Square Bet North in his first campaign, but Worcester were one of the surprise packages in 2011-12 as they took their play-off push to the penultimate match.
The 26-year-old added: “In my first year at Worcester we didn’t have the greatest season but it was disappointing to finish seventh and not get in the play-offs.
“It would have been a good challenge this season but I will be looking out for them.”
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