Southampton Under 23 Academy graduate, and skipper, Tom O’Connor headed out for his first senior loan spell away from the club this summer and his destination was the Priestfield Stadium and Gillingham.
With six Under 23 showings to his name for the Saints in the EFL Trophy competition, he has now officially made his professional debut for the Gills and having featured at the end of August in their 5-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers, the 20-year-old Potential Republic of Ireland international, has made five starts on the spin, and against Bristol Rovers in midweek, he more than helped them to a point as he scored his maiden goal in the game.
His effort came as their goalkeeper spilt an shot by a colleague, and he followed in to slip it into the back of the net. Whilst not the same it’s as good a time as any to bring out one of his ‘Prowsy-esque’ efforts for our Under 23s I think.
The greatest free-kick you'll see this week… 😏 #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/7HDv8tFp6I
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 3, 2019
It’s certainly been a good start now he’s got himself up and running, so long may that continue and we’ll really get to see what the lad is capable of. Naturally a defender, from reading around it sounds like he was shifted in the wingback role or even further forward, and he certainly impressed some fans in that position – so maybe another string to his bow.
Delighted with my first professional goal????good point now on to Saturday⚽️ #Gills https://t.co/Or1M6JYLjR
— Thomas O'Connor (@tomoconnor__) September 17, 2019
Mate as soon as the manager changed the shape you was like a man possessed on that wing! #Gills
— Darren Chandler (@Darren_Chandler) September 18, 2019
I’m glad ur getting the chance of first team football x
— sammy????⚪❤⚪???????????? (@dedicatedfan_04) September 17, 2019
Congratulations Tom! First of many!
— Irish Abroad (@irish_abroad) September 17, 2019
Tom O'connor The Poacher well done lad keep it up #UTG
— Jim Hawkins (@jhawks200) September 18, 2019
Let’s hope it is the first of many as he really begins making a name for himself.
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