A section of Leeds United fans have been left furious on Twitter after it was confirmed that promising defender Paudie O’Connor has been sent out on loan to Blackpool.
Leeds announced on their official Twitter account and official website on Friday that O’Connor, 20, has joined the League One club on a season-long deal not long after signing a new two-year contract at Elland Road.
? | #LUFC defender Paudie O’Connor has joined League One side Blackpool on a season-long loan deal
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 6, 2018
O’Connor impressed Leeds fans when he was promoted to the first team towards the end of last season when he made four appearances in the Championship.
However some of those supporters have been left raging after it was announced that they will not see him continue to develop at Elland Road next season, as O’Connor joins an ever-growing list of players leaving the club on loan.
This is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
Breaking news sources close to the club have revealed Bielsa new formation for #LUFC 2018/19 season.
3-3-1
Nope sorry just hearing O’Connor has left on loan …
Now 2-3-1— Mark Ramm (@LufcRammy) July 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/gooddoctor79/status/1015198066557714433
Any danger of signing anyone FFS!
— James Jaffray (@jaffacakes1984) July 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/ThommHol/status/1015197655985737728
Shame that, he did well with first team. One for future for sure though, be good to see him develop and play a full season in league one
— Tim H ??? (@TimHoolahan) July 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/Russlufc/status/1015196837534425088
How stupid that is. Was better than the other central defenders when he came in! #LUFC
— GB alaw ??? (@gpbird40) July 6, 2018
Pawel Cibicki, Jay-Roy Grot, Lewis Coyle and Tyler Denton have also been loaned out by the Whites.
OPINION
It’s hard to see why some fans are so angry about O’Connor leaving. Marcelo Bielsa is bound to make additions to his defence this summer and that would mean that O’Connor’s game time will drastically reduce. At the age of 20, this is the best time in his career to go out on loan elsewhere and really start to show his potential. In League One he should be a regular starter for Blackpool and that is much better for him than playing in the Under-23s and having one or two odd appearances in League Cup and FA Cup competitions at Elland Road.