Conor Shaughnessy leaves Leeds United for loan spell at Burton Albion with view to permanent move

Shaughnessy had recently been recalled from a season-long loan at League Two side Mansfield Town with a view to joining the League One Brewers.

“It’s something that has been in the pipeline for a while,” said Shaughnessy, speaking to Burton Albion's official website about his move to the Pirelli Stadium.

“I’m delighted to be here. I had a good chat with the manager (Nigel Clough) and I’m really looking forward to getting started with him.

“I really liked what the manager had to say and it seems like a really good set-up here, with a good group of players.

“I’ve been playing a lot in central midfield, in the holding role. I can play centre-half as well. I like to get on the ball and play good football, pass the ball and I can head and tackle as well.

“I’ll give everything for the cause.”

Brewers boss Nigel Clough showed interest in signing Shaughnessy over the summer and said: “He’ll bring versatility - he can play a number of positions.

"But we've not just brought him in purely for cover, he'll be starting games.

“He can play across the back four or in the holding midfield role, so he covers a number of positions.

"He’s got good experience, playing in the Scottish Premiership for Hearts and had half a season at Mansfield.

“We nearly took him in the summer but he went to Mansfield and played quite a few games, including one quite well against us here (in the Leasing.com Trophy) and we’ve managed to secure him for the rest of the season.

“He’s got a slight hamstring problem at the moment, but he should be fit for Accrington in 10 days’ time.”

Leeds signed former Reading youngster Shaughnessy following a successful trial in September 2016.

The Irishman made 12 appearances in the 2017-18 campaign but was then loaned out to Hearts the following season after playing 45 minutes in the seventh game of Marcelo Bielsa's tenure in the 2-0 loss at home to Preston North End in the EFL Cup in August 2018.