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.”