Former Burton Albion defender could leave Aberdeen to return to England

Former Burton Albion defender Anthony O'Connor could be set for a return to English football next season.

O'Connor has spent the last two seasons with Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership after leaving the Brewers in the summer of 2016, following their promotion to the Championship.

Seventy League appearances have been clocked up by the ex-Plymouth Argyle man in that time at Pittodrie - but he is now out of contract.

And the Aberdeen Evening Express are reporting that O'Connor is in talks with an unnamed English club over a summer move.

The report suggests that the 25-year-old free agent - who made 21 outings in 2015-16 for Albion - is "believed to favour a move to the English Championship, but would also consider clubs in League One in England".

O'Connor has had two spells at the Pirelli Stadium with Burton.

He was on loan with the Brewers in 2012-13 and was an ever-present under Gary Rowett as they reached the League Two play-off semi-finals.

Three years later, he signed a permanent deal for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's Albion and helped the team into the Championship before departing for the Dons, for whom he has become a regular defensive feature over the past two years.