Neath announce High Profile Signing of Kristian O'Leary

Neath FC are delighted to announce the major signing of 32-year old Kristian O'Leary who was a free agent from Wrexham.

"We regard this as a major catch as Kristian will provide vital experience to our squad which consists of 14 players under the age of 26, so to bring in someone like Kris is invaluable to add steel and direction to a young squad in readiness for next season", said a press statement from the club this afternoon.

We regard this as a major catch as Kristian will provide vital experience to our squad which consists of 14 players under the age of 26, so to bring in someone like Kris is invaluable to add steel and direction to a young squad in readiness for next season

O'Leary began his career as a trainee at Swansea City, having signed for the club as a schoolboy at the age of 14 in 1992. He made his professional debut for the club during the 1995-96 season. His favoured position is in midfield, although he has also played in central defence and at right-back. O'Leary spent part of the 2002-03 season as the club captain, but the team met with little success and he gave up the role.

O'Leary was a one club man until November 2006 when he joined Cheltenham Town on a month's loan, later turning down the chance to move to the club on a permanent basis. In August 2009, he moved to Leyton Orient on a one-month loan deal, making three appearances before returning to Swansea.

Having made over 300 appearances for Swansea City in a spell lasting nearly 15 years, O'Leary left the club by mutual consent on 2 February 2010. After a spell training with Hereford United, on 17th March he turned out as a triallist for Wrexham reserves against Preston North End reserves after training with the Conference side the week before.

On 26th March 2010 he signed an initial one month contract with the club with a view to a longer deal, making his debut the following day in a 3-0 win over Histon. His contract expired with Dean Saunders' side in April and although he had been training with the North-Wales based club, Neath have now secured the services of the experienced Port Talbot-born player, who joins the League for the first time.