27-year-old set for League One medical after Derby County transfer talks

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Byadmin
June 17, 2025

27-year-old set for League One medical after Derby County transfer talks

Derby County were said to have held talks with Paudie O’Connor but according to Football Insider, he is set to join Reading.

Derby County are in for an important summer transfer window as they look to shape the squad to John Eustace’s liking. DCFC were led to safety by the former Blackburn Rovers boss and are now out to push up the Championship table.

Early business is key to any successful transfer window and the Rams will be among those hopeful of getting a good portion of their targets in before the start of the season, and ideally onboard for pre-season fixtures.

Several players have been linked with moves to Pride Park and reports said that Derby County had held talks over a possible free transfer deal for Paudie O’Connor as he prepares to leave Lincoln City.

However, it now seems O’Connor is set for a League One stay with Football Insider reporting the Derby County target is set to undergo a medical with Reading today (Tuesday 17th).

He will move for a free transfer amid rumoured interest from a number of Championship and League One clubs, DCFC included. Nonetheless, it is the Royals who look set to sign the former Leeds United and Bradford City defender as they kick on under new ownership.

Why isn’t O’Connor heading to Derby County?

If Derby County did indeed hold talks with O’Connor with the intention of bringing him in, there will be disappointment if they have missed out on him to a League One side in Reading.

It is not said whether the Rams did make a concrete offer to sign him, but perhaps they opted against a deal or held of on striking one right away,

Many would have backed O’Connor to be competing for a starting spot at Pride Park but he will likely find a key role easier to come by in League One. That too may have played a part in his decision to link up with the Berkshire outfit.

A coup for Reading means Lincoln City disappointment

O’Connor has cemented himself as one of League One’s standout centre-backs over recent years, thoroughly impressing on the step up from Bradford City to Lincoln City.

The Imps will have held hopes of keeping the Irishman but the general feeling was that a step up awaited him after another fine third tier campaign. However, he now looks set to remain in the division despite interest from the likes of Derby County.

As such, there may be slight disappointment at Sincil Bank that O’Connor is heading to a divisional rival rather than to a higher league with someone like DCFC.

Nonetheless, it marks an impressive coup for Reading, who will be excited about their future under new ownership after their Dai Yongge nightmare ended earlier this summer.