One of the O’s January signings could be worth a lot of money next summer
Ollie O’Neill’s signing with Leyton Orient may result in the club receiving a hefty transfer fee back in the summer of 2025.
O’Neill arrived at the Gaughan Group Stadium near the end of the January transfer window from Fulham, a Premier League team.
It was shocking when the Cottagers let him go last month because he was well-liked in the academy.
After performing so well for the younger teams, a lot of Fulham supporters were frustrated that he was not given an opportunity in the senior squad.
Orient appears to have gained an advantage over the West London club, as the 21-year-old has made an impression across the capital.
Some O’s supporters may have formed an early opinion of O’Neill after the team’s 2-2 EFL Trophy match with Fulham in September. The Republic of Ireland under-21 international scored a fantastic goal, and the Orient administration was impressed by his whole performance.
Richie Wellens previously told the O’s website, “We were really impressed with him in our EFL Trophy match against Fulham earlier this season.”
O’Neill looked menacing on the left wing from the moment he entered the game as a substitute in the 1-1 away draw against Reading.
Before playing the entire ninety minutes against Barnsley, he had two more appearances as a substitute in wins against Carlisle and Port Vale.
But he truly proved to the O’s supporters what he is capable of last Tuesday in the exciting 4-3 victory over Northampton.
First, though unlucky, the winger’s cross-cum-shot gave the O’s a 1-0 lead after thirty-five minutes.
Then, shortly before the hour, Shaq Forde made a great long-range shot that Louie Moulden saved, allowing Forde to finish cleanly and make it 2-1.
And in the eighty-first minute, supersub Ruel Sotiriou was urged to head the ball into the far corner by O’Neill’s inch-perfect cross from the left side.
The Irishman even contributed to the late victory since Sotiriou’s goal was made possible by a poorly cleared corner of his.
That night, he deservedly won the Man of the Match title.
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