Western United has strengthened its defensive options with the signing of former Olyroos full-back Connor O’Toole from Sydney FC.
The 25-year-old amassed 15 appearances for the Sky Blues over the past two seasons and joins the Green and Black to add quality and depth into the back four.
O’Toole said he is delighted to take on a new challenge in his career and is eager to place himself among United’s defensive players.
“I’m very excited, obviously the team won the championship last year so it’s exciting to join a successful team. I’m ready to kick on and help the team to try make the Finals,” he said.
“John Aloisi was a big drawcard for me. I worked with him for two years, I know what he’s like and what demands in terms of standards.
“Hayden Foxe has had success at every club he has gone to, so any chance to work under a coach like that is a great opportunity. The experience in backline is crazy, so hopefully I can learn a lot.”
Western United Head Coach John Aloisi said that another option at full-back was a priority in the transfer window and that O’Toole was the ideal signing.
“Connor is a really positive signing for us, someone who has a fantastic mix of quality, experience and potential upside,” he said.
“We knew that we were after another quality option at full-back and Connor has everything that we’re after in terms of ability, work rate and stamina down the touchline.
“As someone who has played over 70 times in this league, Connor knows the competition but still has a lot of room to grow. I am looking forward to working with him again and we are excited to give him the opportunity to thrive here at Western United.”
O’Toole has made a total of 73 appearances in the Isuzu UTE A-League Men, making his debut under Aloisi with Brisbane Roar in 2017.
After breaking into the first-team, O’Toole earned a move to Newcastle Jets where he became a regular in the 2020/21 season.
That put him on Steve Corica’s radar and led him to a switch to Sydney FC, where he has featured in both the Isuzu UTE A-League and the AFC Champions League.
His exploits early in his career resulted in regular call-ups to youth national camps, where O’Toole made multiple appearances for the Olyroos.
O’Toole will arrive at Western United this week and will hope to come straight into the team to face Adelaide United on Saturday afternoon.
