Cork City FC are delighted to announce the return of Kevin O’Connor to the club, on loan from Preston North End.

Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie after completing the paperwork on the move, O’Connor said: “I’m happy; everybody knows how I feel about this club, so it is great to be back. I’ve been in training with the lads, so I am looking forward to getting my head down, working hard and going again.”

“There are still a good few of the lads here from when I was here before, and the new lads seems bang on. It seems like a really good bunch and hopefully things will go well on the pitch. I want to get games, that is my main target, but we want to be challenging up around the top of the table as well. I am just hoping to come back, work hard and play as many games as possible.”

City boss John Caulfield also offered his thoughts on the news, saying: “It is a great coup for us, Kevin coming back in. We all know he is a fantastic footballer. We have been a bit short on numbers in the middle of the park since Jimmy (Keohane) has gone; people may not remember, but Kevin joined us as a midfielder and played there in the cup final in 2015, and we converted him into a left back. We see him as a centre of the park player now; that is where he has been training and he has looked very sharp since he has come back in.”

“It’s like he has never been away. He has trained very hard every day, he is a beautiful footballer and very good on the ball. He will be a huge addition to us and we are delighted to have him. He got a number of goals in his last spell with us; we all remember the winner against Hacken in the Europa League. He is a great guy to have around the place and will be a huge addition to our squad.”

Pending receipt of international clearance, it is hoped O’Connor will be available for tomorrow’s President’s Cup game against Dundalk.