BURTON Albion are delighted to confirm the signing of Conor Shaughnessy on loan from Leeds United until the end of the 2019/20 season, with a view to a permanent deal.
The 23-year-old Irishman is a versatile option who can play across the back four and in midfield, becoming our first signing of the January 2020 transfer window.
Shaughnessy, a former teammate of Stephen Quinn at Reading, Ryan Edwards at Hearts and Oliver Sarkic at Leeds, spent the first half of the season on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Mansfield Town, making 19 appearances in all competitions.
“It’s something that has been in the pipeline for a while,” said Shaughnessy of his move to the Pirelli Stadium. “I’m delighted to be here.
“I had a good chat with the manager (Nigel Clough) and I’m really looking forward to getting started with him.
“I really liked what the manager had to say and it seems like a really good set-up here, with a good group of players.
“I’ve been playing a lot in central midfield, in the holding role. I can play centre-half as well. I like to get on the ball and play good football, pass the ball and I can head and tackle as well!
“I’ll give everything for the cause.”
Manager Nigel Clough was delighted to get the signing of Shaughnessy, who Clough was interested in signing in the summer, over the line.
“He’ll bring versatility - he can play a number of positions,” said Clough. "But we've not just brought him in purely for cover, he'll be starting games.
“He can play across the back four or in the holding midfield role, so he covers a number of positions. He’s got good experience, playing in the Scottish Premiership for Hearts and had half a season at Mansfield.
“We nearly took him in the summer but he went to Mansfield and played quite a few games, including one quite well against us here (in the Leasing.com Trophy) and we’ve managed to secure him for the rest of the season.
“He’s got a slight hamstring problem at the moment, but he should be fit for Accrington in 10 days’ time.”