After making over 200 appearances for the Potters, he left to join Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2003.

That season he made only two substitute appearances for West Bromwich Albion and moved to Burnley permanently to pursue first-team football, signing on transfer deadline day in 2005 for a £175,000 fee where he became a popular player with the fans.

The departure of Steve Cotterill as Burnley manager brought Owen Coyle in and he immediately restored O'Connor to the starting eleven.

[9][10] He joined the club on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling after turning down the offer to extend his stay at Turf Moor.

[5] On 10 January 2012, O'Connor signed with American third-tier side Orlando City of USL Pro.

[13] On 29 June 2018, Louisville City announced that O'Connor would depart the club after its match against New York Red Bulls II the next day to become head coach of Orlando City SC in MLS,[14] replacing Jason Kreis, who was sacked two weeks earlier.

A trio of players – George Davis IV, Paolo DelPiccolo and Luke Spencer – would serve as player-coaches on an interim basis until a replacement was announced.