Ben O'Connor takes pay cut to join Sheffield Steelers

Sheffield Steelers owner Tony Smith has revealed that Ben O'Connor has taken a pay cut to play for the club.

O'Connor has revealed that the desire to play for the club came from his family's link to the Steelers - the player's father Mike spent three seasons with the Sheffield outfit.

"When I was a kid I was able to join in the celebrations because my dad was playing - now I want to be celebrating because I've helped them win trophies," the Daily Star quotes O'Connor as saying.

Smith added: "Making this deal happen at this has been hard but Ben showed his commitment by taking a salary drop."

O'Connor agreed a three-year contract following his exit from Kazakhstan League Arian Kokshetau.