19th October 2004

Plymouth, Devon

Joe O'Connor, a midfielder, started his two-year scholarship with Exeter City in August 2021 and signed professional in March 2023 having already made his first-team debut in the EFL Trophy. Playing just once more, he left City in 2024 to undertake a scholarship in the United States. 

Joe played in the EFL Youth Alliance and FA Youth Cup during his first season as a scholar and was also in the team that lost to Bideford on penalties in the final of the Devon St Luke’s Bowl in May 2022. Making further FA Youth Cup appearances during his second season, he made his first-team debut in October 2022 as a second-half substitute in the Football League Trophy at Forest Green Rovers. Joe then had a lengthy loan spell at Southern League Tavistock (where he was young player of the year) before signing professional for City in March 2023.

Starting his first season as a professional, Joe was an unused substitute for the league game against Leyton Orient in September 2023 before appearing as a starter in the EFL Trophy against Reading ahead of spending a further period on loan at Tavistock. Subsequently returning to St James' Park, Joe was an unused substitute for the EFL Trophy tie at Swindon Town prior to switching to Tiverton Town on loan in November 2023. Returning to St James' Park after Christmas, Joe had a further spell on loan at Tiverton towards the end of the 2023/24 season ahead of leaving City in May 2024 to undertake a scholarship at Georgia Southern University in the United States where (following in the footsteps of former City trainee Toby Neville) he would play for the Georgia Southern Eagles in university competitions. 

Exeter City

Cups 2