Walsall Football Club have today completed the signing of former Derby County defender, James O’Connor, on a one-year deal.The 29 year-old, who hails from Birmingham, started his career in the youth ranks at Aston Villa where he helping Villa lift the FA Youth Cup in 2002, he went on to sign professional forms at Villa Park and gained his first taste of senior action with a loan switch to Port Vale in 2004/05.
Also serving AFC Bournemouth on loan, he eventually made a permanent switch to the south coast club where he became a regular in the team with his tough-tackling and committed style finding favour amongst The Cherries’ faithful.
James was sold to Doncaster Rovers in May 2006 and helped them lift The Football League Trophy at the end of his first season and then promotion into the second-tier of English football the following year.
A reliable figure, he was named Player of the Season in 2009/10 and went on to make 242 senior appearances for the club in all competitions before joining Derby County for an undisclosed fee ahead of the 2012/13 season.
Once more proving to be a consistent and versatile figure during his early days at Pride Park, injuries were to halt his progress somewhat, but last term he spent time out on loan at Bristol City before being allowed to leave Pride Park during the summer.