James signed for Wednesday under the Bosman ruling in the summer of 2008 after turning down a new contract at former employers Burnley. The combative midfielder put pen to paper on a three-year Owls deal.

O'Connor kicked off his career with Stoke, where he won the club's Player of the Year award at the end of the 2002/03 season. He moved across the Midlands to West Brom that summer for a fee of £250,000 and ultimately helped the Baggies win promotion to the top tier.

After a successful loan spell with Burnley, the 28-year-old moved to Turf Moor on a permanent basis in March 2005. He went on to store over 100 league starts for the Clarets before, then Wednesday boss, Brian Laws made O'Connor his first signing ahead of the 2008/09 campaign.

In the 2009/10 campaign, the battling midfielder's efforts were recognised by the supporters in the Player of the Year voting poll, coming second behind Lee Grant.

Having made 42 appearances for the Owls in 2010-11, O'Connor extended his stay in S6 by a further year in summer 2011.

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